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A retrospective cohort study of patients undergoing laparoscopic inguinal hernia repair compared short- and long-term outcomes between individuals with or without history of previous abdominopelvic surgery, aiming to determine the feasibility of totally extraperitoneal (TEP) repair within this population. All patients who underwent elective TEP inguinal hernia repair by one consultant surgeon across three London hospitals from January 2017 to May 2023 were retrospectively analysed to assess perioperative outcomes. Two hundred sixty-two patients were identified, of whom two hundred forty-three (93%) underwent laparoscopic TEP repair. The most frequent complications were haematoma (6.2%) and seroma (4.1%). Recurrence occurred in four cases (1.6% of operations, 1.1% of hernias). One hundred eighty-four patients (76%) underwent day-case surgery. There were no mesh infections or explanations, vascular or visceral injuries, port-site hernias, damage to testicle, or persisting numbness. There were no requirements for blood transfusion, returns to theatre, or readmissions within 30 days. There was one conversion to open and one death within 60 days of surgery. Eighty-three (34%) had a history of previous AP surgery. There was no significant difference in perioperative outcomes between the AP and non-AP arms. This finding carried true for subgroup analysis of 44 patients whose AP surgical history did not include previous inguinal hernia repair and for those undergoing repair of recurrent hernia. In expert hands, laparoscopic TEP repair is associated with excellent outcomes and low rates of long-term complications, and thus should be considered as standard for patients regardless of a history of AP surgery.

Earlier detection of colorectal cancer (CRC) results in improved survival. Existing non-invasive biomarkers have suboptimal accuracy. Neurotensin (NTS) is involved in CRC carcinogenesis. This study evaluated the diagnostic potential of plasma NTS for colorectal polyps and cancers. Participants were selected based on national CRC referral guidelines. All subjects underwent colonoscopy. Average plasma concentrations were compared across different diagnostic groups. Predictors for detecting colorectal neoplasia were identified. Receiver operator characteristic (ROC) curve analysis assessed the diagnostic accuracy of NTS. An independent biobank was used as validation group. Of 165 participants, 46 had polyps or CRC. Significantly higher plasma NTS was found in the colonic neoplasia group (603.6 pg/ml vs. 407.2 pg/ml, p< 0.01). Risk factors for colonic polyps or cancers included Loge(plasma NTS concentration) (OR, 2.73; 95% CI, 1.33–5.59, p< 0.01), loge(Age) (OR, 15.49; 95% CI, 2.67–89.66, p< 0.01) and cigarette smoking (OR, 3.49; 95% CI, 1.31–9.26, p= 0.01). Plasma NTS had an optimal sensitivity of 60.4% and specificity of 71.6% for the diagnosis of colorectal polyps and cancers. Similar diagnostic accuracy was obtained in the validation group. Plasma NTS has the potential to be a non-invasive biomarker for colorectal neoplasia. It appears to be more accurate than existing blood markers and is unique in being able to detect precancerous polyps.

MR defecography (MRD) is an alternative to conventional defecography (CD) which allows for dynamic visualisation of the pelvic floor. The aim of this study was to assess whether MRI features indicative of pelvic floor dysfunction correlated with patient-reported symptom severity. MR proctograms were matched to a prospectively-maintained functional database. Univariate and multivariate analyses were performed using pre-treatment questionnaire responses to the Birmingham Bowel, Bladder and Urinary Symptom Questionnaire (BBUSQ), Wexner Incontinence Score (WIS), and modified Obstructed Defecation Symptom (ODS) Score. 302 MRI proctograms were performed between January 2012 and April 2015. 170 patients were included. Patients with a rectocele > 2 cm (p= 0.003; OR 5.756) or MRD features suggestive of puborectalis syndrome (p= 0.025; OR 8.602) were more likely to report a higher ODS score on multivariate analysis. Lack of rectal evacuation was negatively associated with an abnormal WIS (p= 0.007; OR 0.228). Age > 50 (p= 0.027, OR 2.204) and a history of pelvic floor surgery (p= 0.042, OR 0.359) were correlated with an abnormal BBUSQ incontinence score. Lack of rectal evacuation (p= 0.027, OR 3.602) was associated with an abnormal BBUSQ constipation score. Age > 50 (p= 0.07, OR 0.156) and the presence of rectoanal intussusception (p= 0.010, OR 0.138) were associated with an abnormal BBUSQ evacuation score. Whilst MRD is a useful tool in aiding multidisciplinary decision making, overall, it is poorly correlated with patient-reported symptom severity, and treatment decisions should not rest solely on results.

Adequate oncological outcomes have been demonstrated with rectal resection and handsewn coloanal anastomosis (CAA) in tumours in close proximity to the internal anal sphincter. Our aim was to assess functional differences between handsewn CAA and ultralow stapled anastomosis. Participants were identified from a single-surgeon series. Included participants underwent anorectal physiology testing of anal sphincter function, in addition to completion of several questionnaires: Wexner Incontinence Score (WIS); Birmingham Bowel, Bladder and Urinary Symptom Questionnaire (BBUSQ); Low Anterior Resection Syndrome (LARS) Score; SF36. Non-parametric data compared using the Mann–Whitney Utest. 20 participants were included; 11 stapled and 9 handsewn. Mean follow-up was 2.95 ± 1.97 years. The mean LARS score was 21.9 ± 1.97 years in the stapled group versus 29.4 ± 9.57 in the handsewn group (p= 0.133). The Wexner incontinence score was significantly higher in the handsewn group (p= 0.0076), with a mean score of 4.6 ± 3.69 versus 10.9 ± 4.76. The incontinence domain of the BBUSQ was also significantly worse in patients with a handsewn anastomosis (p= 0.001). With the exception of general health (p= 0.035) and social functioning (p= 0.035), which were worse in the handsewn groups, the other six domains of the SF-36 showed no statistical difference between groups. Anorectal physiology scores were not significantly different. Handsewn CAA anastomosis is known to be safe and oncologically feasible. Patient selection should be vigorous, with preoperative counseling regarding the likelihood of incontinence to manage patients’ expectations and promote comparable quality of life in the long-term.

AbstractBackground:Anorectal manometry (ARM) is conventionally used to assess patients with fecal incontinence (FI). This review aims to establish the diagnostic accuracy of ARM for FI.Method:A search of MEDLINE, EMBASE, Science Citation Index Expanded and Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL) in the Cochrane Library was performed. Studies examining the sensitivity and specificity of ARM measures, either individually or combined, in the diagnosis of FI, were included. Data analysis was conducted using the bivariate statistical method.Results:Seven studies were included out of an initial search of 1499 studies. The summary sensitivity and specificity for ARM as an overall test were 0.80 (95% confidence interval (CI): 0.69–0.88) and 0.80 (95% CI: 0.65–0.90), respectively. The diagnostic odds ratio (DOR) for ARM was found to be 16.61 (95% CI: 5.52–50.03). The positive likelihood ratio (PLR) and negative likelihood ratio (NLR) for ARM were found to be 4.09 (95% CI: 2.11–7.94) and 0.25 (95% CI: 0.14–0.42), respectively. Subgroup analysis based on four studies reporting on maximum resting pressure (MRP) demonstrated a sensitivity, specificity, DOR, PLR and NLR of 0.60 (95% CI: 0.38–0.79), 0.93 (95% CI: 0.80–0.97), 20.0 (95% CI: 4.00–91.00), 8.60 (95% CI: 3.00–24.30) and 0.43 (95% CI: 0.24–0.76), respectively.Conclusion:ARM has been shown to be an accurate test for diagnosing FI. Further studies are required to establish the diagnostic accuracy of individual ARM measures.

There is an ever-growing need, with the ongoing developments in research and the progress towards patient centered care, to delineate standardized protocols of management of anal cancer. However, guidelines from different societies show some degree of disagreement. This is a systematic review of the literature to identify similarities and discrepancies between the guidelines for the management of anal cancer drafted by the European Society for Medical Oncology (ESMO) and by the National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN). We found essentially similar management for investigation, diagnosis, chemotherapy regimens, and radiotherapy doses in both ESMO and NCCN recommendations in the management of anal cancer. There were few differences, which included the levels of evidence and grades of recommendations, the delineation of radiotherapy fields, and the treatment of the elderly and personalized medicine based on genetics. The follow-up regime is also marginally different in the first 2 years. Even if the observed differences may be justified by a different implementation of evidence-based medicine among different countries for particular management modalities of anal cancer, we identified the grey areas which need further study. In addition, these facets should be assessed more carefully when planning future guidelines.

Colorectal cancer screening programs aim at early detection of cancer to reduce incidence rates and mortality. The objective of this study is to identify the role of neurotensin in the endoscopic screening of high-risk population for developing colorectal neoplasia. Blood samples from patients referred for urgent colonoscopy to investigate symptoms suspicious of colorectal cancer were collected. Blood neurotensin levels were measured using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Colonoscopy findings were used as reference for determining the diagnostic accuracy of blood neurotensin. The study comprised 26 patients in total: 12 healthy and 14 with colon pathology (13 high-grade dysplasia adenomatous polyps, 1 adenocarcinoma). There were no statistically significant differences in the clinical and biochemical parameters between colon pathology and healthy group except neurotensin levels. Pathology in colon was associated with 3.7-fold increase in NT levels. In multivariate analysis, patients with pathology in colon have increased serum neurotensin levels compared to controls adjusted for age, gender, BMI and co-morbidities. The value of 12.93 pg/ml is associated with 87.5% sensitivity and 91.7% specificity for discriminating the colon pathology from normal colonic epithelium (p= 0.001). Neurotensin plasma values differentiate healthy people from patients suffering from colonic pathologies such as adenomatous polyps and cancer. The use of neurotensin as a potential endoscopic screening tool for identifying high-risk population for developing colorectal cancer is promising, but much has to be done before it is validated in larger scale prospective studies.

Cysteinyl leukotriene 1 (CysLT1) receptor expression is known to be increased in the airway mucosa of patients with asthma, especially during exacerbations; however, nothing is known of its expression in COPD.

A best evidence topic was written on perioperative outcomes in hybrid coronary revascularisation according to a structured protocol. The question addressed was 'In patients with stable multivessel coronary artery disease, does the use of hybrid coronary revascularisation compared to conventional and off-pump coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) reduce perioperative morbidity and mortality?' Six hundred and twenty-three papers were found in the literature search. From these results, six comparative studies and one review paper appeared to be relevant. The authors, journal, date and country of publication, patient group studied, study type, relevant results and weaknesses of these papers were compiled and tabulated. Critical appraisal ruled out three of the six comparative studies identified by the search. Therefore, the following papers constituted best evidence. de Cannière et al. reported a non-randomised retrospective comparison of staged hybrid revascularisation with conventional CABG, showing an association with shorter intensive care unit and total hospital stays, as well as shorter time to return to work. Kon et al. reported a non-randomised retrospective comparison of simultaneous hybrid revascularisation with off-pump CABG, showing that fewer blood transfusions were required in addition to shorter intensive care and hospital stays. Vassiliades et al. reported a non-randomised retrospective comparison of staged hybrid revascularisation with off-pump CABG, which failed to show a difference between 30-day major adverse cardiac events in the two patient groups. DeRose reviewed 13 published series of hybrid revascularisation cases, concluding that experienced centres should consider hybrid revascularisation as an appropriate alternative to conventional CABG for selected patients. In summary, these papers provide limited evidence of improved perioperative outcomes in both staged and simultaneous hybrid revascularisation compared to CABG. Weaknesses of the comparative studies include the lack of mid-term and long-term follow-up and the difficulty of generalising results from specialist units to general cardiac surgical practice. A large randomised control trial comparing hybrid revascularisation and coronary artery bypass with mid-term follow-up will be required to establish the clinical effectiveness of this procedure.