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Introduction Colorectal anastomotic leak (AL) remains a significant challenge. The M-OMENTUM study compared omental-derived stromal-vascular cell-fraction (OSVCF) / alginate gel composite vs control subgroups to prevent murine AL. Methods C57BL-6 mice were subjected to an AL model with a leak rate (LR) of 40% and randomised (1:1) to OSVCF / alginate gel or control subgroups (gel alone and no treatment) powered to detect a 20% minimum difference (50% absolute reduction in LR); HO Licence PP9886008. Mice underwent laparotomy and colo-colonic anastomoses. In the intervention group, OSVCF was harvested and applied to the anastomosis in an alginate gel. Mice underwent schedule 1 killing at day 7 or earlier if they failed to meet wellness thresholds. The primary outcome was LR. Secondary outcomes included leak severity, weight, and adhesion score. An intention-to-treat analysis was performed. Results 128 mice (M:64/F:64), mean age 13.1 weeks (SD,1.2), mean weight, 24.1g (SD,4.3) were randomised. OSVCF/Gel containing mean 3.3×103cells/mg (SD,0.3×103) was applied in the intervention group. Overall LR was 49.2%. There was a numerical difference in LRs between the intervention group (30/64, 46.9%) and control groups (33/64, 51.5%) with a LR reduction of 9.1% (RR 0.91 [95%CI:0.64-1.69]; P=0.72). 12/33(36.4%) that received gel alone and 5/33(15.2%) that received no treatment developed an abscess rather than feculent peritonitis (RR 2.26 [95%CI:1.11-5.20]; P=0.04). Conclusion OSVCF/gel produced a 9.1% reduction in LR, but this did not reach statistical significance. The application of gel to an anastomosis alters the severity of anastomotic leak, favouring abscess formation rather than faecal peritonitis.

Background and Aim Equipment consumption is the third largest contributor to the carbon footprint of surgery. Laparoscopic surgery is particularly resource intensive. The aim of this quality improvement project is to reduce the carbon footprint of laparoscopic appendicectomies performed at this high volume trust. Methods The laparoscopic appendicectomy was process-mapped and carbon footprint calculations performed. Three areas of change were identified: elimination of single use gowns and drapes, elimination of peri-operative catheterisation, and rationalisation of the equipment tray from 119 to 49 items. A staff survey was used to identify practices and gain feedback on the proposed changes. Changes were implemented from January 2022. Surgeons are able to ask for a ‘sustainable appendicectomy pathway’ at team brief. Procedures were monitored for one week. Results Survey feedback indicated 100% (n=19) supported the proposed changes. The interventions save an estimated 7.48kgCO2e and £25.1 per procedure. No extra equipment was required during the procedures monitored. Conclusions The interventions are predicted to save annually 3.9TCO2e and £13,081 in the approximately 500 appendicectomies performed in this trust, and can be extrapolated to many types of procedures. Support from all members of the operating department is vital to sustaining the momentum of interventions. Following initial positive results, changes were extended to only use reusable gowns in one of the CEPOD theatres which perform around 2400 procedures/year. This will lead to a saving of at least 6386 disposable gowns/year (1.43T of waste). Further plans within this trust are to make the ‘sustainable appendicectomy pathway’ an opt-out decision.

Background The growth pattern of colorectal cancer is seldom investigated. This cohort study aimed to explore tumour growth rate in colorectal cancers managed non‐surgically or deemed not resectable, and to determine its implication for prognosis. Methods Consecutive patients with colonic or rectal adenocarcinoma were identified through the colorectal multidisciplinary team database at Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust over a 2‐year interval. Patients who received no treatment (surgery, stenting, colonic defunctioning procedures, chemotherapy, radiotherapy) and who underwent CT twice more than 5 weeks apart were included. Multidetector CT/three‐dimensional image analysis was performed independently by three experienced radiologists. Results Of 804 patients reviewed, 43 colorectal cancers were included in the final analysis. Median age at first CT was 80 (73–85) years and the median interval between scans was 150 (i.q.r. 72–471) days. An increase in T category was demonstrated in 31 of 43 tumours, with a median doubling time of 211 (112–404) days. The median percentage increase in tumour volume was 34·1 (13·3–53·9) per cent per 62 days. The all‐cause 3‐year mortality rate was 81 per cent (35 of 43) with a median survival time of 1·1 (0·4–2·2) years after the initial diagnostic scan. In those obstructed, the relative risk of death from subsequent perforation was 1·26 (95 per cent c.i. 1·07 to 1·49; P = 0·005). Conclusion This study documented a median doubling time of 211 days, with a concerning suggestion of tumour progression, which has implications for the current management standard., Few studies have evaluated the growth pattern of colorectal cancer. Forty‐three patients who underwent CT twice more than 5 weeks apart were included over a 2‐year interval. The median doubling time was 211 days, with a concerning suggestion of tumour progression. This has implications both under the current 62‐day UK standard and following the rapid emergence of COVID‐19 and its global impact on surgical cancer care. Tumor volume changes in colorectal cancer

The management of lateral pelvic lymphadenopathy in low rectal cancer poses an oncological and technical challenge. Interpretation of the literature is confounded by different approaches to management in the East and West, and a lack of randomized data from which to draw accurate conclusions regarding the optimal approach. Recent collaboration between Eastern and Western centres has increased the standardization of care. Despite this, significant differences in international guidelines remain. The aim of this review was to appraise the available literature and propose a management algorithm.A literature review of all relevant studies was performed to summarize the historical evidence, as well as establish the significance of clinically positive lateral pelvic sidewall nodes, and the role of neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy and lateral pelvic node dissection. A management algorithm was developed based on this review of the literature.The management of pelvic sidewall lymphadenopathy in rectal cancer is non-standardized, with geographical differences. The mechanism of lateral lymphatic spread is well defined; the risk increases with lower tumour height and advanced T category. Existing data indicate that acceptable disease-free and overall survival can be achieved by neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy with selective lateral pelvic node dissection.Suspicious lateral pelvic sidewall nodes, particularly in the internal iliac chain, should be considered as resectable locoregional disease, and surgery offered for enlarged nodes that do not respond to neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy.El tratamiento de las adenopatías en la pared pélvica lateral en el céncer de recto inferior plantea un desafío oncológico y técnico. La interpretación de la literatura es confusa por los diferentes abordajes en Oriente y Occidente y la falta de estudios aleatorizados a partir de los cuales extraer conclusiones precisas sobre cuél es el enfoque óptimo. La reciente colaboración entre los centros orientales y occidentales ha aumentado la estandarización del tratamiento. A pesar de ello, persisten diferencias significativas en las guías internacionales. El objetivo de esta revisión fue evaluar la literatura disponible y proponer un algoritmo terapéutico. MÉTODOS: Se realizó una revisión de la literatura de todos los estudios relevantes para resumir las evidencias existentes, así como para determinar la importancia de las adenopatías de la pared lateral pélvica clínicamente positivas, el papel de la quimiorradioterapia neoadyuvante (neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy, NCRT) y de la linfadenectomía pélvica lateral (lateral pelvic node dissection, LPND). Se desarrolló un algoritmo de tratamiento basado en esta revisión de la literatura.El tratamiento de las adenopatías de la pared lateral de la pelvis en el céncer de recto no esté estandarizado y sigue habiendo diferencias geogréficas. El mecanismo de la diseminación linfética lateral esté bien definido con un mayor riesgo en los tumores de recto inferior y con un estadio T avanzado. Los datos existentes demuestran que se puede obtener una supervivencia libre de enfermedad y global aceptables mediante NCRT con LPND selectiva. CONCLUSIÓN: Las adenopatías sospechosas en la pared lateral de la pelvis, en particular en la cadena ilíaca interna, deben considerarse enfermedad locorregional resecable y se debe ofrecer cirugía para los ganglios aumentados de tamaño que no responden a la NCRT.

Background Effective dissemination of technology in global surgery is vital to realize universal health coverage by 2030. Challenges include a lack of human resource, infrastructure and finance. Understanding these challenges, and exploring opportunities and solutions to overcome them, are essential to improve global surgical care. Methods This review focuses on technologies and medical devices aimed at improving surgical care and training in low- and middle-income countries. The key considerations in the development of new technologies are described, along with strategies for evaluation and wider dissemination. Notable examples of where the dissemination of a new surgical technology has achieved impact are included. Results Employing the principles of frugal and responsible innovation, and aligning evaluation and development to high scientific standards help overcome some of the challenges in disseminating technology in global surgery. Exemplars of effective dissemination include low-cost laparoscopes, gasless laparoscopic techniques and innovative training programmes for laparoscopic surgery; low-cost and versatile external fixation devices for fractures; the LifeBox pulse oximeter project; and the use of immersive technologies in simulation, training and surgical care delivery. Conclusion Core strategies to facilitate technology dissemination in global surgery include leveraging international funding, interdisciplinary collaboration involving all key stakeholders, and frugal scientific design, development and evaluation.

Background Uptake of population-based screening for colorectal cancer in Scotland is around 55 per cent. Abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) screening has recently been introduced for men aged 65 years and the reported uptake is 78 per cent. The aim was to determine the impact of a brief intervention on bowel screening in men who attended AAA screening, but previously failed to complete bowel screening. Methods Men invited for AAA screening between September 2015 and March 2016 within NHS Tayside were included. Attendees who had not responded to their latest bowel screening invitation were seen by a colorectal cancer clinical nurse specialist. Reasons for not completing the faecal occult blood test (FOBT) were recorded; brief information on colorectal cancer screening was communicated, and participants were offered a further invitation to complete a FOBT. Those who responded positively were sent a further FOBT from the Scottish Bowel Screening Centre. Subsequent return of a completed FOBT within 6 months was recorded. Results A total of 556 men were invited for AAA screening, of whom 38·1 per cent had not completed a recent FOBT. The primary reason stated for not participating was the time taken to complete the test or forgetting it (35·1 per cent). Other reasons included: lack of motivation (23·4 per cent), confusion regarding the aim of screening (16·2 per cent), disgust (19·8 per cent), fear (6·3 per cent) and other health problems (9·9 per cent). Following discussion, 81·1 per cent agreed to complete the FOBT and 49 per cent subsequently returned the test. Conclusion A substantial proportion of previous bowel screening non-responders subsequently returned a completed FOBT following a brief intervention with a nurse specialist. Attendance at non-bowel screening appointments may provide a valuable opportunity to improve bowel screening uptake.