Biomedical subjects

V W Fazio

Publications and source records attributed to V W Fazio.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

PubMed2002

Clinically based management of rectal prolapse.

BACKGROUND: Laparoscopic repair of rectal prolapse offers the potential of lower recurrence rates for transabdominal repair coupled with the advantages of minimally invasive colorectal surgery. There have been no direct comparisons of the laparoscopic Wells procedure (LWP) and laparoscopic resection with rectopexy (LRR). This study is the first to make a direct comparison of outcomes from laparoscopic LRR and LWP repairs using a selected, symptom-based choice of operative procedure. METHODS: Consecutive patients presenting with complete rectal prolapse were evaluated by clinical history of the degree of constipation, diarrhea, or incontinence. Patients with a history of constipation or normal bowel habits with normal continence underwent LRR, whereas those with diarrhea or anal incontinence underwent LWP. The collected data included age, gender, operative time, length of hospital stay (LOS), operative blood loss, complications, and postoperative symptoms of constipation or diarrhea. Continence was scored using the Cleveland Clinic scoring system. RESULTS: Of the 24 patients, 11 underwent LRR and 13 had LWP. The patients in both groups were predominantly, female (LRR, 9/1; LWP, 10/2). The LRR patients were significantly younger (48.6 vs 63.9 years p <0.001). Both operative time and LOS were significantly longer in the RR group (operative time, 128.5 +/- 80.6 min vs 69.9 +/- 13.4 min; LOS, 3.6 +/- 3.1 days vs 2.2 +/- 1.03 days). All patients in the LRR group had constipation preoperative, and no patients were incontinent clinically. Preoperatively, 7 of the 13 patients in the LWP group had preoperative diarrhea, and 1 patient had clinical constipation. A five patients experienced clinical symptoms of fecal incontinence, manifested in different degrees. Postoperative complications occurred only in the LRR group (1 case of abdominal wall hematoma and 2 cases of prolonged ileus). During a mean follow-up period of 18.1 months, there were no recurrences; 10 of the 11 LRR patients had correction of constipation; and 4 of 5 of the incontinent LWP patients had improvement in their symptoms. Constipation developed in one LWP patient. CONCLUSIONS: Clinical assessment of preoperative bowel function and continence allows accurate selection of the appropriate laparoscopic technique for repair of rectal prolapse without the added expense of anal physiologic testing. Although LRR may be associated greater morbidity than LWP, both procedures offer good functional outcome, with short LOS and low recurrence rates.

Adult↗

PubMed2002

Factors affecting local recurrence of colonic adenocarcinoma.

PURPOSE: The aim of this retrospective study was to determine which aspects of tumor morphology and histology influenced the incidence of local recurrence after curative resection of colonic adenocarcinoma. METHODS: Patients who had a curative resection for a primary colonic adenocarcinoma between 1980 and 1993 (inclusive) were identified from the colorectal cancer database in the Department of Colorectal Surgery. The charts of patients diagnosed with a local recurrence were then reviewed and their findings at operation and histologic assessment analyzed. Patients were followed up for at least five years or until death. RESULTS: Over the period of study, 1,031 patients had a curative resection for colonic adenocarcinoma. Local recurrences were detected in 32 patients (3.1 percent). The gender distribution of patients with local recurrence was 18 males (56.3 percent) and 14 females (43.7 percent) with a mean age of 63.4 years. The median time to local recurrence was 13 (range, 2-71) months. The distribution of primary tumors that recurred locally favored the cecum (n = 9; 28.1 percent) and sigmoid colon (n = 14; 43.7 percent) over other locations; these were, however, the most common sites of primary lesions. Less common sites included the ascending colon (n = 0; 0 percent), hepatic flexure (n = 2; 6.3 percent), transverse colon (n = 1; 3.1 percent), splenic flexure (n = 3; 9.4 percent), and descending colon (n = 3; 9.4 percent). Of the total number of tumors, 101 were found to be adherent to at least 1 other intra-abdominal viscus, and 12 (11.9 percent) recurred locally. Other factors associated with local recurrence were tumor perforation and fistulation. Overall, 30 tumors (2.9 percent) were perforated, and 6 (20 percent) recurred locally. Four tumors (0.4 percent) were fistulating; of these, 2 (50 percent) recurred locally. Advanced tumor stage was also associated with an increased rate of local recurrence (Stage I, 0 percent; Stage II, 2.05 percent; Stage III, 7.0 percent; and Stage IV, 6.1 percent). Similarly, tumor differentiation was related to local recurrence, with no instances in well-differentiated tumors, 2.8 percent in moderately differentiated tumors, and 6.8 percent in poorly differentiated tumors. CONCLUSIONS: The location of the primary tumor is not a factor in producing local recurrence. Fixity to another viscus, perforation or fistulation, advanced stage of disease, and differentiation of tumor appear to increase the chances of recurrence of curatively resected colonic carcinoma. Although the recurrence rate is higher in these groups than for tumors overall, definitive oncologic surgery prevents recurrence in the majority of cases. No colonic tumor that was T1 or T2 (N0, N1, or N2) or that was well differentiated recurred locally.

Adenocarcinoma↗

PubMed2002

Reasons for failure to construct the colonic J-pouch. What can be done to improve the size of the neorectal reservoir should it occur?

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to determine first, the reasons for failure to construct a neorectal reservoir after anterior resection and coloanal anastomosis for rectal adenocarcinoma and the rate at which it occurred and second, to determine whether the adoption of a new "coloplasty" pouch-anal anastomosis improved this failure rate. METHODS: From the colorectal cancer database of a single institution, a single surgeon's patients who underwent resection and coloanal anastomosis from March 1990 to June 1999 were identified. After thorough chart review those patients who underwent straight coloanal anastomosis, J-pouch-anal anastomosis, and coloplasty pouch-anal anastomosis could be identified. In each case of straight coloanal anastomosis, the cause of the failure to create a neorectal reservoir was sought. The study group was further subdivided into those who had their operation either before or after the introduction of the coloplasty pouch-anal anastomosis. RESULTS: Of 107 patients who fitted the criteria for study, 66 (61.7 percent) had a J-pouch-anal anastomosis, and 13 (12.1 percent) had a coloplasty pouch-anal anastomosis. Twenty-eight patients had a straight coloanal anastomosis when a neorectal reservoir could not be constructed, an overall failure rate of 26.2 percent for the total period of study. Seven reasons were identified for this failure, of which there were a total of 31 episodes. These reasons were 1) technical (narrow pelvis, bulky anal sphincters or need for mucosectomy, diverticulosis, insufficient colon length or pregnancy) and 2) nontechnical (complex surgery or distant metastases present). Failure to construct a neorectal reservoir for the period of study before the introduction of coloplasty pouch-anal anastomosis occurred in 27 of 88 (30.7 percent) patients. This was reduced to 1 of 19 (5.3 percent) patients in the later period of study, a significant improvement (P = 0.022). CONCLUSIONS: Seven factors have been identified which may result in the failure to construct a neorectal reservoir after rectal resection and coloanal anastomosis. This may occur in a sizable minority of patients. The introduction of coloplasty pouch-anal anastomosis has resulted in a significant improvement in this failure rate.

Adenocarcinoma↗

PubMed2001

Locally recurrent rectal cancer: predictors and success of salvage surgery.

PURPOSE: After curative surgery for rectal cancer, patients with pelvic recurrence may undergo curative surgical resection. We determined whether salvage surgery in appropriately selected patients could significantly lengthen disease-free survival time and if so what factors predicted this outcome. METHOD: We reviewed the records of all patients treated for rectal cancer at our institution between 1980 and 1993. Of 937 patients who underwent surgery with curative intent after proctectomy or transanal local excision, 81 (8.6 percent) experienced local recurrence. During the same period 36 patients with locally recurrent rectal cancer were referred from other institutions. Logistic regression analysis was used to identify predictors of salvage surgery. The Kaplan-Meier method was used to estimate cancer-specific and disease-free survival times in 43 patients who underwent salvage surgery. The Cox proportional hazard model was used to identify factors associated with these outcomes. RESULTS: Of 117 patients with locally recurrent rectal cancer, 43 (36.7 percent) underwent salvage surgery. Factors associated with higher chance of receiving salvage surgery were female gender, the first operation performed at outside institutions, and transanal local excision as the initial operation. For 43 patients who underwent salvage surgery, five-year cancer-specific and disease-free survival rates were 49.7 and 32.2 percent, respectively. No factors were significantly associated with death caused by cancer. However, a trend for poor prognosis was observed in patients with recurrence diameter >3 cm and tumor fixation Degree 2. CONCLUSION: Salvage surgery for properly selected patients with locally recurrent rectal cancer allows long-term palliation and significantly lengthens disease-free survival.

Disease-Free Survival↗

PubMed2001

Mucosectomy vs. stapled ileal pouch-anal anastomosis in patients with familial adenomatous polyposis: functional outcome and neoplasia control.

PURPOSE: The tradeoff of neoplasia control for better function represented by a stapled ileal pouch-anal anastomosis is still controversial in patients with familial adenomatous polyposis. We compared outcomes after mucosectomy and hand-sewn ileal pouch-anal anastomosis with those after stapled ileal pouch-anal anastomosis in 119 patients with familial adenomatous polyposis who underwent surgery since 1983. METHODS: Age, gender, length of follow-up, complications, quality of life, incontinence, urgency, nighttime and daytime seepage, pad usage, necessity of ileostomy, and incidence of adenomas developing in pouch and anal transitional zone were recorded. RESULTS: There were 42 mucosectomy and 77 stapled patients who were followed up for an average of 5.8 and 3.6 years, respectively, with endoscopic surveillance. There was one postoperative death in the stapled group that prohibited long-term follow-up. Nine of 42 mucosectomy patients developed pouch adenomas vs. 8 of 76 in the stapled group. Six of 42 patients developed adenomas in the mucosectomized anal transitional zone in the mucosectomy group. Twenty-one of 76 patients developed adenomas in the anal transitional zone in the stapled group. All were managed with local procedures or further surveillance. One of 76 patients developed cancer in the residual low rectum; this required further resection. Patients with stapled anastomosis had better outcomes in every category. Differences in incontinence, daytime and nighttime seepage, pad usage, and avoidance of ileostomy were statistically significant. All patients with mucosectomy required ileostomy vs. only 40 of 77 patients with stapled anastomosis. CONCLUSION: Familial adenomatous polyposis patients with stapled ileal pouch-anal anastomosis have better functional outcome and can avoid temporary diversion. This should be balanced against a 28 percent incidence of adenomas in the anal transitional zone.

Adenoma↗

PubMed2001

Strictureplasty for obstructing small-bowel lesions in diffuse radiation enteritis--successful outcome in five patients.

INTRODUCTION: Complications from chronic radiation enteritis can lead to resection or bypass of large segments of intestine, placing the patient at risk for short-bowel syndrome. We have operated on five patients with complications of chronic radiation enteritis in the setting of limited intestinal reserve. In each case, strictureplasty was used as an adjunct to resection or bypass to treat short, relatively isolated radiation strictures with the goal of preserving intestinal length and avoiding dependence on parenteral nutrition. METHODS: There were four females and 1 male, mean age 57 (range, 45-71) years. Complications developed from 1 to 30 years after radiation therapy and all patients had undergone at least one prior laparotomy for complications of radiation enteritis. Four patients had resultant short bowel syndrome and were dependent on parenteral nutrition preoperatively. Indications for the present operations were chronic small-bowel obstruction (3 patients), enterocutaneous fistula and bowel obstruction (1 patient), and chronic small-bowel obstruction along with a rectovaginal fistula (1 patient). Details of the operative procedure, postoperative complications, and eventual weaning from parenteral nutrition were determined by review of the medical records. RESULTS: Strictureplasty was performed either alone (1 patient) or was accompanied by resection or bypass (4 patients). Postoperative complications developed in 3 patients and were comprised of pancreatitis (1), acute renal failure (1), and wound infection (1). There were no anastomotic leaks, reoperations, or deaths. All four patients on preoperative parenteral nutrition were successfully weaned postoperatively and were maintained on enteral nutrition at last follow-up (mean 42, range, 18-120 months). One patient developed recurrent small-bowel obstruction requiring reoperation ten years after the strictureplasty surgery. CONCLUSIONS: Strictureplasty may be an effective and safe tool to conserve intestinal length in certain highly selected patients with chronic radiation enteritis and small-bowel strictures, namely those with limited intestinal reserve where strictures are located within long segments of diseased bowel which, if resected or bypassed, would have significant nutritional or metabolic consequences. Strictureplasty is not indicated for the treatment of perforation, hemorrhage, fistula, or short segments of disease in patients with adequate intestinal reserve.

Aged↗

PubMed2001

Laparoscopic total colectomy for acute colitis: a case-control study.

INTRODUCTION: There are no previous comparative studies of total abdominal colectomy by laparoscopic methods in ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease patients requiring urgent colectomy. This study aimed to determine the safety and efficacy of laparoscopic colectomy in these patients compared with those undergoing conventional urgent colectomy. METHODS: Patients undergoing laparoscopic total colectomy for acute colitis were identified in a prospective registry. All patients underwent a total colectomy with creation of an end ileostomy and buried mucous fistula. No patient had fulminant disease (tachycardia, fever, marked leukocytosis, peritonitis), but all were failing to respond to medical treatment. Patients undergoing conventional total colectomy were matched for age, gender, body mass index, diagnosis, disease severity, and operative period. Median values (range) are listed. RESULTS: From 1997 to 1999, there were 19 laparoscopic and 29 matched conventional patients. There were no inadvertent colotomies or conversions in the laparoscopic group. Although there was no difference in operative blood loss in the laparoscopic group (100 (range, 50-700) ml) when compared with the conventional group (150 (range, 50-500) ml), the operative times were significantly longer in the laparoscopic group (210 (range, 150-270) vs. 120 (range, 60-180) minutes, P < 0.001). Bowel function returned more quickly in the laparoscopic group (1 (range, 1-3) vs. 2 (range, 1-4) days; P = 0.003) and the length of stay was shorter (4 (range, 3-13) vs. 6 (range, 4-24) days; P = 0.04). Complications occurred in three (16 percent) laparoscopic patients (2 wound infection and 1 ileus) and in seven (24 percent) conventional patients (3 wound infection, 3 deep venous thrombosis, 1 upper gastrointestinal bleed). CONCLUSIONS: Laparoscopic total colectomy is feasible and safe in patients with acute nonfulminant colitis and may lead to a faster recovery than conventional resection.

Acute Disease↗

PubMed2001

CO2 pneumoperitoneum does not enhance tumor growth and metastasis: study of a rat cecal wall inoculation model.

INTRODUCTION: Although many studies have evaluated the effects of carbon dioxide pneumoperitoneum on port site recurrence, little is known about its outcome on tumor growth and metastasis. The effect of pneumoperitoneum with carbon dioxide on cecal tumor growth and metastasis was compared with laparotomy using a rat colon cancer cell line. METHODS: Time Course Study: Fifty WF/BN F1 hybrid rats were inoculated with 2,000,000 WB2054M5 tumor cells into the cecal wall and explored two to ten weeks after injection. Main Study: 152 rats were randomly assigned either to 6-mmHg CO2 pneumoperitoneum (30 minutes) or 4-cm laparotomy (30 minutes) two weeks after tumor inoculation and were explored four weeks after treatment. RESULTS: Time Course Study: Thirty-seven (95 percent) of the surviving rats developed a cecal wall tumor, and there was progressive tumor growth and metastasis over the ten-week period. At six weeks, metastasis occurred to the liver in 25 percent, to the lung in 38 percent, and to the lymph node in 63 percent, and peritoneal seeding occurred in 38 percent; this time period was chosen for the main study. Main Study: At the time of treatment (2 weeks), 124 rats were eligible for randomization. One hundred two rats survived the six-week period (50 pneumoperitoneum, 52 laparotomy) and were killed. There were no differences between the CO2 pneumoperitoneum and laparotomy groups regarding cecal tumor growth (1.043 vs. 0.894 g) and metastases to the liver (32 vs. 37 percent), lung (34 vs. 17 percent), lymph node (84 vs. 77 percent), and wound or port (20 vs. 23 percent). CONCLUSIONS: A cecal wall inoculation model mimics the natural cascade of colon cancer growth and metastasis. CO2 pneumoperitoneum did not affect the tumor growth and metastasis to the liver and other organs when compared with laparotomy in this model.

Animals↗

PubMed2001

Prospective, randomized trial comparing laparoscopic vs. conventional surgery for refractory ileocolic Crohn's disease.

INTRODUCTION: Surgeons have been reluctant to apply laparoscopic techniques to Crohn's disease surgery because of concerns with evaluating and excising inflamed tissue using laparoscopic methods. Additionally in Crohn's disease surgery, laparoscopic techniques have not been demonstrated to have clear advantages over conventional ones. METHOD: We conducted a prospective, randomized trial in one surgical department comparing laparoscopic vs. conventional techniques in 60 patients (25 males), median age 34.4 (range, 10-60.1) years, undergoing elective ileocolic resection for refractory Crohn's disease. Postoperatively, all patients underwent measurement of pulmonary function tests every 12 hours, and were treated identically on a highly controlled protocol with regard to analgesic administration, feeding, and postoperative care. RESULTS: Of the 31 patients assigned to laparoscopic and 29 to the conventional group, all had isolated Crohn's disease of the terminal ileum plus or minus the cecum. Median length of the incision was 5 cm in the laparoscopic group and 12 cm in the conventional group. Overall recovery of 80 percent of forced expiratory volume (one second) and forced vital capacity was a median of 2.5 days for laparoscopic and 3.5 days for conventional (P = 0.03). There was no difference in the amount of morphine equivalents used between groups postoperatively. Flatus and first bowel movement returned a median of 3 and 4 days, respectively, after laparoscopic vs. 3.3 and 4 days, respectively, after conventional surgery (P = 0.21). Median length of stay was five (range, 4-30) days for laparoscopic, and six (range, 4-18) days for conventional surgery. Major complications occurred in one patient in each group. Minor complications occurred in four laparoscopic and eight conventional patients (P < 0.05). There were no deaths. Two laparoscopic patients were converted to conventional as a result of adhesions or inflammation. All patients recovered well and there were no clinical recurrences in the follow-up period (median, 20; range, 12-45 months). CONCLUSIONS: Within a single institution, single surgical team, prospective, randomized trial, laparoscopic techniques offered a faster recovery of pulmonary function, fewer complications, and shorter length of stay compared with conventional surgery for selected patients undergoing ileocolic resection for Crohn's disease.

Adolescent↗

PubMed2001

Coloplasty in low colorectal anastomosis: manometric and functional comparison with straight and colonic J-pouch anastomosis.

PURPOSE: After resection of the distal rectum with a straight reanastomosis, poor bowel function can occur. This is felt to be because of the loss of the rectal reservoir. To overcome this, a neoreservoir using a colonic J-pouch has been advocated in low colorectal and coloanal anastomosis. However, difficulties in reach, inability to fit the pouch into a narrow pelvis, and postoperative evacuation problems can make the colonic J-pouch problematic. Coloplasty is a new technique that may overcome the poor bowel function seen in the straight anastomosis and the problems of the colonic J-pouch. The purpose of this study was to compare the functional results after a low colorectal anastomosis among patients receiving a coloplasty, colonic J-pouch, or straight anastomosis. METHODS: Twenty patients underwent construction of a coloplasty with a low colorectal anastomosis. Postoperative manometry and functional outcome of these patients was compared with a matched group of 16 patients who had a colonic J-pouch and low colorectal anastomosis and 17 patients who had a straight low colorectal anastomosis. RESULTS: Maximum tolerated volume was significantly favorable in the coloplasty (mean, 116.9 ml) and colonic J-pouch group (mean, 150 ml) vs. the straight anastomosis group (mean, 83.3; P < 0.05) The compliance was also significantly favorable for the coloplasty (mean, 4.9 ml/mmHg) and the colonic J-pouch group (mean, 6.1 ml/mmHg) vs. the straight anastomosis group (mean, 3.2 ml/mmHg; P < 0.05) The coloplasty (mean, 2.6; range, 1-5) and colonic J-pouch (mean, 3.1; range, 2-6) had significantly fewer bowel movements per day than the straight anastomosis group (mean, 4.5; range, 1-8; P < 0.05). Similar complication rates were noted in the three groups. CONCLUSIONS: Patients with a coloplasty and low colorectal anastomosis seem to have similar functional outcome along with similar pouch compliance compared with patients with colonic J-pouch and low colorectal anastomosis. However, the coloplasty may provide an alternative method to the colonic J-pouch for a neorectal reservoir construction when reach or a narrow pelvis prohibits its formation. Technically it also may be easier to construct.

Anastomosis, Surgical↗

PubMed2001

The management of neoplastic colorectal obstruction with colonic endolumenal stenting devices.

BACKGROUND: Colonic endolumenal stenting (CELS) to treat obstructing colorectal neoplasms was first described in 1991. The aim of this study was to review the published world literature and make recommendations for its use in current clinical practice. METHODS: Suitable English language reports were identified using a Medline search. RESULTS: CELS can been successfully accomplished in 64% to 100% of obstructing malignant colonic lesions. Distal lesions are more common and theoretically more easy to stent although lesions within the ascending colon have been successfully managed. Minor complications include transient anorectal pain and rectal bleeding, however, significant complications of stent dislocation and colonic perforation are also well recognized. CONCLUSION: CELS can aid the palliative management of malignant colorectal obstruction. Its role in relieving obstruction prior to resection remains to be defined. Increasing experience has allowed the safe placement of stents and relief of obstruction of virtually any lesion throughout the large bowel.

Colorectal Neoplasms↗

PubMed2001

Crohn's disease of the small bowel.

Crohn's disease of the small bowel frequently requires surgical intervention. While dealing with the disease complications that require intervention, treatment should be based on a long-term strategic plan that recognizes the likelihood of recurrent disease, repeat surgeries, and the possibility of a future ostomy. Resection forms the basis for surgical treatments, but strictureplasty, abscess drainage, intestinal and diversion bypasses also are used, selectively.

Abscess↗

PubMed2001

Safety and longterm efficacy of strictureplasty in 314 patients with obstructing small bowel Crohn's disease.

BACKGROUND: Since its introduction in the early 1980s, strictureplasty (SXP) has become a viable option in the surgical management of obstructing small bowel Crohn's disease. Questions still remain regarding its safety and longterm durability in comparison to resection. Precise indications and contraindications to the procedure are also not well defined. STUDY DESIGN: A retrospective review of all patients undergoing SXP for obstructing small bowel Crohn's disease at the Cleveland Clinic between 1984 and 1999 was conducted. A total of 314 patients underwent a laparotomy that included the index SXP The total number of SXPs performed was 1,124, with a median of two (range 1 to 19) per patient. Sixty-six percent of patients underwent a synchronous bowel resection. Recurrence was defined as the need for reoperation. Followup information was determined by personal interviews, phone interviews, or both. RESULTS: The overall morbidity rate was 18%, with septic complications occurring in 5% of patients. Preoperative weight loss (p = 0.004) and older age (p = 0.008) were found to be significant predictors of morbidity. The surgical recurrence rate was 34%, with a median followup period of 7.5 years (range 1 to 16 years). Age was found to be a significant predictor of recurrence (p = 0.02), with younger patients having a shorter time to reoperation. CONCLUSIONS: This large series of patients with longterm followup confirms the safety and efficacy of strictureplasty in patients with obstructing small bowel Crohn's disease. The 18% morbidity and 34% operative recurrence rates compare favorably with reported results of resective surgery. Caution should be used in patients with preoperative weight loss, because they experienced higher complication rates. Although young patients seem to follow an accelerated course, SXP remains indicated as part of an overall strategy to conserve intestinal length.

Adolescent↗

PubMed2001

'Fast track' postoperative management protocol for patients with high co-morbidity undergoing complex abdominal and pelvic colorectal surgery.

BACKGROUND: A combination of factors has emphasized the need to reduce postoperative stay after surgery. Multimodal care plans may shorten hospital stay, but have been associated with high readmission rates and are generally reserved for straightforward, non-complicated colonic (not rectal) resections. This study evaluated a 'fast track' protocol in patients undergoing major colonic and rectal surgery. METHODS: Sixty consecutive patients (median age 44.5 (range 13-70) years) underwent major procedures over a 6-week period on one colorectal service. Nasogastric tubes and epidural anaesthesia were not used. Patients participated in a protocol of early diet and early ambulation, and were discharged after meeting defined criteria. RESULTS: Fifty-eight patients (97 per cent) were deemed suitable for the 'fast track' approach at the time of surgery and stayed for a mean(s.d.) of 4.3(1.6) days after operation. Patients in diagnosis-related group (DRG) 148 (colorectal resection with co-morbidity; n = 40) stayed for 4.6(1.7) days, which was longer than those in DRG 149 (without co-morbidity; n = 18) who stayed 3.5(0.8) days (P = 0.01). Three patients (5 per cent) required a nasogastric tube for vomiting. There were no readmissions directly attributable to 'fast track' failure, although four patients (7 per cent) were readmitted within 30 days of operation for other reasons. Eight poorly compliant patients stayed for 5.1(1.1) days (P = 0.02 versus compliant patients). 'Fast track' patients had a shorter length of stay than patients receiving traditional care on other colorectal services during the same time period (compared by DRG 148, DRG 149 and for all patients) (P < 0.0001). CONCLUSION: The 'fast track' protocol allows patients with high levels of co-morbidity undergoing complex colorectal and reoperative pelvic surgery to benefit from a rapid recovery and early discharge from hospital. The approach is safe and has low readmission rates.

Adolescent↗

PubMed2001

Function of a colonic J pouch continues to improve with time.

BACKGROUND: J pouch-anal anastomosis is thought to give superior functional results to straight coloanal anastomosis after rectal resection. Follow-up studies have suggested that this improvement is not maintained and that evacuatory difficulties may increase. METHODS: Some 119 consecutive patients had a coloanal anastomosis after resection for rectal carcinoma over 113 months, 62 with a J pouch and 57 with a straight coloanal anastomosis. Functional results were determined by patient questionnaire. The two groups were compared for the first and second 5-year intervals of study. RESULTS: Patients who had a J pouch had significantly better median Kirwan continence scores for the duration of the study and 5-9 years after surgery: 1 versus 2 (P = 0.05) and 1 versus 2 (P < 0.01), respectively. Some 5-9 years after surgery the median number of nocturnal bowel movements was significantly lower in patients who had a J pouch than in those with a straight coloanal anastomosis (0 versus 1; P = 0.02). Similarly, significantly better results were seen with regard to evacuation difficulties and urgency of defaecation. CONCLUSION: The function of the J pouch was superior to that of the straight coloanal anastomosis and appeared to improve with time.

Adenocarcinoma↗

PubMed2001

Endoscopic and histologic evaluation together with symptom assessment are required to diagnose pouchitis.

BACKGROUND & AIMS: Pouchitis often is diagnosed based on symptoms alone. In this study, we evaluate whether symptoms correlate with endoscopic and histologic findings in patients with ulcerative colitis and an ileal pouch-anal anastomosis. METHODS: Symptoms, endoscopy, and histology were assessed in 46 patients using Pouchitis Disease Activity Index (PDAI). Patients were classified as either having pouchitis (PDAI score > or =7; N = 22) or as not having pouchitis (PDAI score <7; N = 24). RESULTS: Patients with pouchitis had significantly higher mean total PDAI scores, symptom scores, endoscopy scores, and histology scores. There was a similar magnitude of contribution of each component score to the total PDAI for the pouchitis group. Of note, 25% of patients with symptoms suggestive of pouchitis did not meet the PDAI diagnostic criteria for pouchitis. In both groups, the correlation coefficients between symptom, endoscopy, and histology scores were near zero (range, -0.26 to 0.20; P > 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: The symptom, endoscopy, and histology scores each contribute to the PDAI and appear to be independent of each other. Symptoms alone do not reliably diagnose pouchitis.

Adult↗

PubMed2001

Epidural anesthesia-analgesia shortens length of stay after laparoscopic segmental colectomy for benign pathology.

BACKGROUND: Aggressive postoperative care plans after open colectomy may allow earlier discharge, especially in conjunction with preoperative thoracic epidural anesthesia-analgesia using a local anesthetic and narcotic. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the role of thoracic epidural anesthesia-analgesia using bupivacaine and fentanyl citrate in reducing lengths of stay after laparoscopic colectomy (LAC). METHODS: A consecutive cohort of patients who underwent LAC and who received perioperative thoracic epidural anesthesia-analgesia (TEG) was compared with a standard group of patients (STD) undergoing LAC during the 2 months preceding the implementation of the epidural management protocol. Patients with TEG received 6 to 8 mL bupivacaine (0.25%) and fentanyl citrate (100 microg) through a T8-9 or a T9-10 epidural catheter before the incision was made and a postoperative infusion of bupivacaine (0.1%) and fentanyl citrate (5 microg/mL) at 4 to 6 mL/h for 18 hours. STD patients had supplemental intravenous morphine. The postoperative care plan was otherwise identical between the 2 groups. Patients were matched by sex, age, and type of segmental resection. Discharge criteria included tolerance of 3 general diet meals, passage of flatus or stool, and adequate oral analgesia. Length of stay was defined as the time from admission for the surgical procedure to discharge from the hospital. Statistical analysis included a Student t test, Wilcoxon rank sum test, chi-square trend test, and Fisher exact test where appropriate. Data are presented as mean +/- SEM. RESULTS: Procedures performed were: right hemicolectomy-ileocolectomy (TEG, n = 5; STD, n = 5); or sigmoid colectomy-rectopexy (TEG, n = 17; STD, n = 17). There was no significant difference with respect to operating room (OR) time (TEG, 102 +/- 12 minutes; STD, 87 +/- 17 minutes), body mass index (TEG, 26 +/- 2; STD, 26 +/- 2), or American Society of Anesthesiologists class (I-III) distribution (TEG, 3/12/10; STD, 4/11/7), or mean incision length (TEG, 3.5 +/- 0.4 cm; STD, 3.7 +/- 0.3 cm.) No postoperative complications or readmissions occurred in either group. The length of stay decreased in the TEG group (TEG, 2.8 +/- 0.2 days; STD, 3.9 +/- 0.3; P <.001) and the median length of stay for the 2 groups was similarly less (TEG, 2 days; STD, 3 days). CONCLUSIONS: These data suggest that thoracic epidural anesthesia-analgesia has a significant and favorable impact on dietary tolerance and length of stay after LAC. A thoracic epidural appears to be an important component of a postoperative care protocol, which adds further advantage to LAC without the need for labor-intensive and costly patient care plans.

Analgesia, Epidural↗

PubMed2001

Repair of recurrent rectovaginal fistulas.

BACKGROUND: Recurrent rectovaginal fistulas (RRVFs) pose a challenging problem, which can be treated by different surgical procedures. We performed this study to determine the ultimate success rate of various repair techniques. METHODS: Using a standard data collection form, we retrospectively reviewed charts of patients treated for RRVF. RESULTS: Between 1991 and 2000, 57 procedures were performed in 35 women who presented with RRVF. Median follow-up was 4 months (interquartile range, 1,25). The causes of RRVF included obstetrical injury (n = 15), Crohn's disease (n = 12), fistula occurring after proctocolectomy with ileal pouch-anal anastomosis (for ulcerative colitis, n = 3; indeterminate colitis, n = 1; familial polyposis, n = 1), cryptoglandular disease (n = 2), and fistula occurring immediately after low anterior resection for rectal cancer (n = 1). The methods of repair used included mucosal advancement flap (n = 30), fistulotomy with overlapping sphincter repair (n = 14), rectal sleeve advancement (n = 3), fibrin glue (n = 1), proctectomy with colonic pull-through (n = 2), and ileal pouch revision (n = 6). Twenty-seven of 34 (79%) patients with adequate follow-up eventually healed after a median of 2 operations. Logistic regression was used to analyze outcome according to etiology of fistula, patient age, number of prior repairs, time interval between last repair and current repair, and presence of fecal diversion. Crohn's disease, the presence of a diverting stoma, and decreased time interval since prior repair were associated with a poorer outcome. CONCLUSIONS: Most RRVFs can be successfully repaired, although repeated operations may be necessary. Delaying repair may improve outcome.

Adult↗