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Purpose Treatment of invasive rectal adenocarcinoma is stratified into upfront surgery versus neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy, in part, based on tumor distance from the anal verge (AV). This study examines the correlation between tumor distance measurements (endoscopic and MRI) and relationship to the anterior peritoneal reflection (APR) on MRI. Methods A single-center retrospective study was performed at a tertiary center accredited by the National Accreditation Program for Rectal Cancer (NAPRC). 162 patients with invasive rectal cancer were seen between October of 2018 and April of 2022. Sensitivity and specificity were determined for MRI and endoscopic measurements in their ability to predict tumor location relative to the APR. Results 119 patients had tumors endoscopically and radiographically measured from the AV. Pelvic MRI characterized tumors as above (intraperitoneal) or at/straddles/below the APR (extraperitoneal). True positives were defined as extraperitoneal tumors 10cm. Endoscopy was 81.9% sensitive and 64.3% specific in predicting tumor location with respect to the APR. MRI was 86.7% sensitive and 92.9% specific. Utilizing a 12cm cutoff, sensitivity of both modalities increased (94.3%, 91.4%) but specificity decreased (50%, 64.3%). Conclusion For locally invasive rectal cancers, tumor position relative to the APR is an important factor in determining the role of neoadjuvant therapy. These results suggest endoscopic tumor measurements do not accurately predict tumor location relative to the APR, and may lead to incorrect treatment stratification. When the APR is not identified, MRI-reported tumor distance may be a better predictor of this relationship.

Multimodal pain management within enhanced recovery after surgery (ERAS) protocols is designed to decrease opioid use, promote mobilization, and decrease postoperative complications.To evaluate the role of intravenous (IV) versus oral (PO) acetaminophen within an established ERAS protocol in colorectal surgery.This was a retrospective observational study.This research took place within an established perioperative colorectal surgery protocol.A total of 91 consecutive elective colorectal resections performed according to an ERAS protocol using only IV acetaminophen (IV group) were compared with 84 consecutive resections performed using one dose of IV acetaminophen followed by subsequent administration of oral acetaminophen (PO group). Our multimodal pain management strategy also included transverse abdominis plane blocks, celecoxib, and ketorolac medications for both groups. Opioid requirements, maximum and average daily pain scores by the Visual Analog Scale, and postoperative outcomes were compared between groups.There were no differences in maximum or average pain scores on postoperative days 0-3 or at time of discharge between IV and PO groups. Compared with the IV acetaminophen only group, the PO group received significantly more perioperative opioids through 72 hours postoperatively (68.8 oral morphine equivalents [OME] IV group vs. 93.7 OME PO group; P0.0001), were more likely to require opioid patient-controlled analgesia (8.9% IV group vs. 46.4% PO group; P0.0001), and were more likely to experience postoperative nausea and vomiting (33.0% IV group vs. 48.8% PO group; P = 0.0449).Significant limitations include the studies' retrospective nature and that it was performed at a single institution.Restriction of IV acetaminophen within an ERAS protocol in colorectal surgery was associated with increased opioid use, greater need for opioid patient-controlled analgesia, and increased incidence of postoperative nausea and vomiting. IV acetaminophen may be superior to oral acetaminophen in the early postoperative setting.Perioperative pain management, enhanced recovery after surgery, acetaminophen, multimodal pain control, nonopioid.

Fluid management within Enhanced Recovery After Surgery (ERAS) protocols is designed to maintain a euvolemic state avoiding the negative sequelae of hypervolemia or hypovolemia. We sought to determine the effect of a recent ERAS protocol implementation on kidney function and on the incidence of postoperative acute kidney injury (AKI). A total of 132 elective colorectal resections performed using our ERAS protocol were compared to a propensity-matched group prior to ERAS implementation. Fluid balance, urine output, creatinine, and blood urea nitrogen (BUN) were recorded for all patients, and the incidence of AKI was determined according to the Kidney Disease Improving Global Outcomes (KDIGO) criteria. Implementation of our ERAS protocol decreased average postoperative length of hospital stay (5.5 vs 7.7 days, p

Lynch syndrome (LS) is a hereditary condition that increases one’s risk of developing colorectal, endometrial, and other extracolonic cancers. MD Anderson Cancer Center at Cooper implemented a reflex screening protocol for DNA mismatch repair (dMMR) deficiency. Those with findings suspicious for LS were referred for genetic counseling (GC). Our goal was to assess compliance with GC and factors associated with successful follow-up. Immunohistochemistry (IHC) for the MMR proteins MSH2, MLH1, MSH6, and PMS2 was performed on all colorectal tumor resections from patients ≤70 years old and all stage II cancers. Tumors with loss of MLH1/PMS2 were subsequently tested for BRAF mutation or MLH1 promoter methylation to identify tumors with likely epigenetic inactivation of MLH1. Patients with loss of MLH1/PMS2 without BRAF mutations or with absence of MLH1 promoter methylation and those with loss of MSH2/MSH6 were referred to GC. Compliance with GC was assessed. Between March 2014 and August 2016, 203 tumors were tested by IHC. Fifteen (7.4%) patients had abnormal MMR protein expression patterns in the absence of BRAF mutation or MLH1 promoter methylation suggestive of possible LS. GC compliance was 35.7% overall and 85.7% in those with family history of LS-associated cancers. Overall, GC compliance was relatively low in our study. Interestingly, patients with a strong family history of LS-associated neoplasms were more likely to pursue GC. In the future, assessing and addressing barriers to seeking GC will provide opportunities to improve patient care through increased identification of patients with cancer predisposition syndromes.

The construction of an intestinal stoma is fraught with complications and should not be considered a trivial undertaking. Serious complications requiring immediate reoperations can occur, as can minor problems that will subject the patient to daily and nightly distress. Intestinal stomas undoubtedly will dramatically change lifestyles; patients will experience physiologic and psychologic detriment with stoma-related problems, however minor they may seem. Common complications include poor stoma siting, high output, skin irritation, ischemia, retraction, parastomal hernia (PH), and prolapse. Surgeons should be cognizant of these complications before, during, and after stoma creation, and adequate measures should be taken to avoid them. In this review, the authors highlight these often seen problems and discuss management and prevention strategies.

Fat embolism syndrome (FES) is an ill-defined clinical entity that arises from the systemic manifestations of fat emboli within the microcirculation. Embolized fat within capillary beds cause direct tissue damage as well as induce a systemic inflammatory response resulting in pulmonary, cutaneous, neurological, and retinal symptoms. This is most commonly seen following orthopedic trauma; however, patients with many clinical conditions including bone marrow transplant, pancreatitis, and following liposuction. No definitive diagnostic criteria or tests have been developed, making the diagnosis of FES difficult. While treatment for FES is largely supportive, early operative fixation of long bone fractures decreases the likelihood of a patient developing FES.