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Objective: This study aimed to determine local recurrence (LR) rate and pattern after transanal total mesorectal excision (TaTME) for rectal cancer., Background: TaTME for mid- and low rectal cancer has known a rapid and worldwide adoption. Recently, concerns have been raised on the oncological safety in light of reported high LR rates with a multifocal pattern., Methods: This was a multicenter observational cohort study in 6 tertiary referral centers. All consecutive TaTME cases for primary rectal adenocarcinoma from the first TaTME case in every center until December 2018 were included for analysis. Patients with benign tumors, malignancies other than adenocarcinoma and recurrent rectal cancer, as well as exenterative procedures, were excluded. The primary endpoint was 2-year LR rate. Secondary endpoints included patterns and treatment of LR and histopathological characteristics of the primary surgery., Results: A total of 767 patients were identified and eligible for analysis. Resection margins were involved in 8% and optimal pathological outcome (clear margins, (nearly) complete specimen, no perforation) was achieved in 86% of patients. After a median follow-up of 25.5 months, 24 patients developed LR, with an actuarial cumulative 2-year LR rate of 3% (95% CI 2-5). In none of the patients, a multifocal pattern of LR was observed. Thirteen patients had isolated LR (without systemic disease) and 10/13 could be managed by salvage surgery of whom 8 were disease-free at the end of follow-up., Conclusions and Relevance: This study shows good loco regional control after TaTME in selected cases from tertiary referral centers and does not indicate an inherent oncological risk of the surgical technique., Competing Interests: The authors report no conflicts of interest., (Copyright © 2020 Wolters Kluwer Health, Inc. All rights reserved.)

Purpose: Anastomotic leakage (AL) is the most severe complication following colorectal resection and is associated with increased mortality. The main group of enzymes responsible for collagen and protein degradation in the extracellular matrix is matrix metalloproteinases. The literature is conflicting regarding anastomotic leakage and the degradation of extracellular collagen by matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9). In this systematic review, the possible correlation between anastomotic leakage after colorectal surgery and MMP-9 activity is investigated., Methods: Embase, MEDLINE, Cochrane, and Web of Science databases were searched up to 3 February 2020. All published articles that reported on the relationship between MMP-9 and anastomotic leakage were selected. Both human and animal studies were found eligible. The correlation between MMP-9 expression and anastomotic leakage after colorectal surgery., Results: Seven human studies and five animal studies were included for analysis. The human studies were subdivided into those assessing MMP-9 in peritoneal drain fluid, intestinal biopsies, and blood samples. Five out of seven human studies reported elevated levels of MMP-9 in patients with anastomotic leakage on different postoperative moments. The animal studies demonstrated that MMP-9 activity was highest in the direct vicinity of an anastomosis. Moreover, MMP-9 activity was significantly reduced in areas further proximally and distally from the anastomosis and was nearly or completely absent in uninjured tissue., Conclusion: Current literature shows some relation between MMP-9 activity and colorectal AL, but the evidence is inconsistent. Innovative techniques should further investigate the value of MMP-9 as a clinical biomarker for early detection, prevention, or treatment of AL.

Aim: Single port (SP) ileocaecal resection (ICR) is an established technique but there are no large studies comparing SP and multi-port (MP) laparoscopic surgery in Crohn's disease (CD). The aim of this study was to compare postoperative pain scores and analgesia requirements after SP and MP laparoscopic ICR for CD., Method: This was a retrospective study of patients undergoing SP or MP ICR for CD in three tertiary referral centres from February 1999 to October 2014. Baseline characteristics (age, sex, body mass index and indication for surgery) were compared. Primary end-points were postoperative pain scores, analgesia requirements and short-term postoperative outcomes., Results: SP ICR (n = 101) and MP ICR (n = 156) patients were included in the study. Visual analogue scale scores were significantly lower after SP ICR on postoperative day 1 (P = 0.016) and day 2 (P = 0.04). Analgesia requirements were significantly reduced on postoperative day 2 in the SP group compared with the MP group (P = 0.007). Duration of surgery, conversion to open surgery and stoma rates were comparable between the two groups. Surgery was more complex in terms of additional procedures when MP was adopted (P = 0.001). There were no differences in postoperative complication rates, postoperative food intake, length of stay and readmissions., Conclusion: These data suggest that in comparison to standard laparoscopic surgery SP ICR might be less painful and patients might require less opioid analgesia., (Colorectal Disease © 2017 The Association of Coloproctology of Great Britain and Ireland.)

Aim: Increased morbidity and mortality could mitigate the positive effect of surgery in elderly patients undergoing colorectal resections. This retrospective study aims to describe early morbidity and mortality together with long-term survival in octogenarians and nonagenarians undergoing colorectal surgery. Predictors for in-hospital mortality are identified. The predictive value of CR-POSSUM is assessed., Method: Data on consecutive patients 80 years old or more undergoing a colorectal resection in our centre from 2004 until 2010 were analysed., Results: Some 286 patients [median age 84 years; interquartile range (IQR) 81.6-86.1; 133 men, 47%] underwent a colorectal resection. Median follow-up was 32 months (IQR 14.5-51.2). Two hundred and fifty-eight patients (90%) were operated on for malignancy. Only 64 patients (22.4%) underwent a laparoscopic procedure. Overall median hospital stay was 12 days (IQR 9.0-20.0) and in-hospital mortality was 9.4%. Seventy-six per cent (n = 170) of patients could return home after discharge. The 1-year survival rate was 78.6% (95% CI 73.8-82.7). Median CR-POSSUM for in-hospital mortality was 12.6% (IQR 11.9-21.0). The concordance probability estimate was 0.668 (95% CI 0.609-0.728), reflecting a moderate predictive capacity of CR-POSSUM. Once patients had been discharged from hospital, life expectancy was similar to that of the Belgian general population., Conclusion: Colorectal surgery in octogenarians and nonagenarians resulted in a considerable in-hospital mortality of about 9%. One-year mortality added an additional 12%, which is in concordance with the overall life expectancy at that age., (Colorectal Disease © 2016 The Association of Coloproctology of Great Britain and Ireland.)

Aim: Prolonged postoperative ileus (PPOI) after colorectal surgery remains a leading cause of delayed postoperative recovery and prolonged hospital stay. Its exact incidence is unknown. The aim of this systematic review is to investigate the definitions and incidence of PPOI previously described., Method: MEDLINE, Embase and the Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews (up to July 2014) were searched. Two authors independently reviewed citations using predefined inclusion and exclusion criteria., Results: The search strategy yielded 3233 citations; 54 were eligible, comprising 18 983 patients. Twenty-six studies were prospective [17 of these being randomized controlled trials (RCTs)] and 28 were retrospective. Meta-analysis revealed an incidence of PPOI of 10.3% (95% CI 8.4-12.5) and 10.2% (95% CI 5.6-17.8) for non-RCTs and RCTs, respectively. Significant heterogeneity was observed for both non-RCTs and for RCTs. The used definition of PPOI, the type of surgery and access (laparoscopic, open) and the duration of surgery lead to significant variability of reported PPOI incidence between studies. The incidence of PPOI is lower after laparoscopic colonic resection., Conclusion: There is a large variation in the reported incidence of PPOI. A uniform definition of PPOI is needed to allow meaningful inter-study comparisons and to evaluate strategies to prevent PPOI., (Colorectal Disease © 2015 The Association of Coloproctology of Great Britain and Ireland.)

Endometriosis is a gynecological condition that presents as endometrial-like tissue outside the uterus and induces a chronic inflammatory reaction. Up to 15% of women in their reproductive period are affected by this condition. Deep endometriosis is defined as endometriosis located more than 5 mm beneath the peritoneal surface. This type of endometriosis is mostly found on the uterosacral ligaments, inside the rectovaginal septum or vagina, in the rectosigmoid area, ovarian fossa, pelvic peritoneum, ureters, and bladder, causing a distortion of the pelvic anatomy. The frequency of bowel endometriosis is unknown, but in cases of bowel infiltration, about 90% are localized on the sigmoid colon or the rectum. Colorectal involvement results in alterations of bowel habits such as constipation, diarrhea, tenesmus, dyschezia, and, rarely, rectal bleeding. Differential diagnosis must be made in case of irritable bowel syndrome, solitary rectal ulcer syndrome, and a rectal tumor. A precise diagnosis about the presence, location, and extent of endometriosis is necessary to plan surgical treatment. Multidisciplinary laparoscopic treatment has become the standard of care. Depending on the size of the lesion and site of involvement, full-thickness disc excision or bowel resection needs to be performed by an experienced colorectal surgeon. Long-term outcomes, following bowel resection for severe endometriosis, regarding pain and recurrence rate are good with a pregnancy rate of 50%.

Endometriosis is a handicapping disease affecting young females in the reproductive period. It mainly occurs in the pelvis and affects the bowel in 3-37%. Endometriosis can cause menstrual and non-menstrual pelvic pain and infertility. Colorectal involvement results in alterations of bowel habit such as constipation, diarrhoea, tenesmus, and rarely rectal bleeding. A precise diagnosis about the presence, location and extent is necessary. Based on clinical examination, the diagnosis of bowel endometriosis can be made by transvaginal ultrasound, barium enema examination and magnetic resonance imaging. Multidisciplinary laparoscopic treatment has become the standard of care and depending on size of the lesion and site of involvement full-thickness disc excision or bowel resection is performed by an experienced colorectal surgeon. Anastomotic complications occur around 1%. Long-term outcome after bowel resection for severe endometriosis is good with a pregnancy rate of 50%., (Copyright © 2013 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

Background: Fast-track programs (ERAS) have been shown to improve postoperative recovery in colorectal surgery, combining newer anesthetic and minimally invasive surgery with evidence-based adjustments to facilitate revalidation. This prospective study evaluated the outcome of an ERAS protocol implementation in a university colorectal unit., Methods: Between 2009 and 2010, 94 patients (49 males and 45 females) underwent an elective colorectal resection and were included in this protocol. All data were prospectively gathered in an electronic database. A cohort comparison was performed with 120 patients operated on in 2008 before ERAS implementation., Results: The median age was 58 years [range: 29-76 years] and the median ASA score was 2. All colorectal procedures (85 sigmoid resections, 7 right hemicolectomies and 2 low anterior resections) were performed laparoscopically, with a conversion rate of 9,5%. Complications were noted in 14 patients (14,9%); two patients (2,1%) required a laparoscopic drainage of an infected hematoma during initial hospital stay. A significant (p < 0,001) reduced median postoperative hospital stay of 4 days [range : 2-11 days] in the ERAS group, compared with 6 days [range : 3-37] in the non fast-track group was noted. Early readmission occurred in five patients (5,3%) because of anastomotic leakage (n = 2), ileus (n = 2) and a wound infection (n = 1)., Conclusion: These results of length of stay, morbidity and readmission-rates have important implications for the organization of health care, waiting lists and costs. Therefore the ERAS principles should be more wide-spread implemented.

Purpose: Complex high and recurrent fistulas remain a surgical challenge. Simple division, i.e., fistulotomy, will likely result in fecal incontinence. Various surgical treatment options for these fistulas have shown disappointing results. Recently a biologic anal fistula plug was developed to treat these high transsphincteric fistulas. To assess the results of the anal fistula plug in patients with complex high perianal fistulas, a prospective, two-center, clinical study was undertaken., Methods: Between April 2006 and October 2006, a consecutive series of patients with difficult therapy-resistant high fistulas were enrolled. During surgery, the internal fistula tract opening was identified. A conical shaped collagen plug was pulled through the fistula tract. Any remaining portion of the plug that was not implanted in the tract was removed. The plug was fixed at the internal opening with a deep 3/0 polydioxanone suture., Results: Seventeen patients with a median age of 45 (range, 27-75) years were included. Of these patients, 71 percent (12/17) were male. At a median length of follow-up of 7 (range, 3-9) months, 7 of 17 fistulas had healed (41 percent). In ten patients, the fistula recurred., Conclusions: In these small series of 17 patients with difficult high perianal fistulas, a success rate of 41 percent is noted. Larger series, preferably in trial setting, must be performed to establish the efficacy of the anal fistula plug in perianal fistula.