Diseases of the colon and rectum
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Neoadjuvant long-course chemoradiotherapy is commonly used to improve the local control and resectability of locally advanced rectal cancer, with surgery performed after an interval of a number of weeks. ⋯ There is limited evidence to support decisions regarding when to resect rectal cancer following chemoradiotherapy. There may be benefits in prolonging the interval between chemoradiotherapy and surgery beyond the 6 to 8 weeks that is commonly practiced. However, outcomes need to be studied further in robust randomized studies.
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Robot-assisted laparoscopic rectopexy for total rectal prolapse is safe and feasible. Small series proved clinical and functional short-term results comparable with conventional laparoscopy. No long-term results have been reported yet. ⋯ Long-term results of robot-assisted laparoscopic rectopexy are satisfying. Further studies comparing robot-assisted and conventional laparoscopy, including cost-effectiveness, are needed.
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Comparative Study
En bloc pancreaticoduodenectomy and right colectomy in the treatment of locally advanced colon cancer.
Carcinoma of the right colon invading the pancreas or duodenum is rare. Evidence of the indication, operative morbidity, and survival of en bloc pancreaticoduodenectomy and right colectomy for right colon cancer invading adjacent organs is limited. ⋯ En bloc pancreaticoduodenectomy and right colectomy can be performed safely with an acceptable morbidity and mortality rate in selected patients with locally advanced right-side colon cancer. The long-term results are promising.
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Redo surgery for failed colorectal or coloanal anastomosis is a surgical challenge, but despite its technical difficulties and the high associated morbidity risk, it may represent the only valuable option to improve patients' quality of life by avoiding a permanent stoma and decreasing chronic pelvic symptoms. ⋯ Redo surgery for failed colorectal or coloanal anastomosis is a valuable surgical option which allows avoidance of a permanent stoma in nearly 90% of patients. It remains a major undertaking with high intraoperative and postoperative morbidity.
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Robotic surgery has potential advantages in rectal and pelvic surgery, in which the dissection is performed within a confined operative field. However, the position of robotic colonic surgery remains largely undefined with limited insight of whether it offers any potential advantages over open or laparoscopic colon surgery. ⋯ The present evidence on robotic colonic surgery has shown both feasibility and a safety profile comparable to standard laparoscopic colonic surgery. However, operative time and cost were greater in robotic colonic surgery, with no difference in the length of postoperative stay in comparison with standard laparoscopic colonic surgery. Whether the general surgical community should embark on a new learning curve for robotic colonic surgery can only be answered in the light of future studies.