A word of caution in the functional monitoring of patients after rectal cancer surgery: a multicentre observational study.

Background: Patients with rectal cancer often experience adverse effects on urinary, sexual, and digestive functions. Despite recognised impacts and available treatments, they are not fully integrated into follow-up protocols, thereby hindering appropriate interventions. The aim of the study was to discern the activities conducted in our routine clinical practice outside of clinical trials.

Impact on defecatory, urinary and sexual function after high-tie sigmoidectomy: a post-hoc analysis of a multicenter randomized controlled trial comparing extended versus standard complete mesocolon excision.

Objective: To assess the effect of high inferior mesenteric artery tie on defecatory, urinary, and sexual function after surgery for sigmoid colon cancer. Performing a sigmoidectomy poses a notable risk of causing injury to the preaortic sympathetic nerves during the high ligation of the inferior mesenteric artery, as well as to the superior hypogastric plexus during dissection at the level of the sacral promontory. Postoperative defecatory and genitourinary dysfunction after sigmoid colon resection are often underestimated and underreported.

Endoscopic treatment (endoscopic balloon dilation/self-expandable metal stent) vs surgical resection for the treatment of de novo stenosis in Crohn's disease (ENDOCIR study): an open-label, multicentre, randomized trial.

Background: Stenosis is one of the most common complications in patients with Crohn's disease (CD). Endoscopic balloon dilation (EBD) is the treatment of choice for a short stenosis adjacent to the anastomosis from previous surgery. Self-expandable metal stents (SEMS) may be a suitable treatment option for longer stenoses.

Short-term outcomes of chemoradiotherapy and local excision versus total mesorectal excision in T2-T3ab,N0,M0 rectal cancer: a multicentre randomised, controlled, phase III trial (the TAU-TEM study).

Background: The standard treatment of T2-T3ab,N0,M0 rectal cancers is total mesorectal excision (TME) due to the high recurrence rates recorded with local excision. Initial reports of the combination of pre-operative chemoradiotherapy (CRT) and transanal endoscopic microsurgery (TEM) have shown reductions in local recurrence. The TAU-TEM study aims to demonstrate the non-inferiority of local recurrence and the improvement in morbidity achieved with CRT-TEM compared with TME.

Extended Versus Standard Complete Mesocolon Excision in Sigmoid Colon Cancer: A Multicenter Randomized Controlled Trial.

Objective: The aim of this study was to evaluate whether extended complete mesocolic excision (e-CME) for sigmoid colon cancer improves oncological outcomes without compromising morbidity or functional results.

Background: In surgery for cancer of the sigmoid colon and upper rectum, s-CME removes the lymphofatty tissue surrounding the inferior mesenteric artery (IMA), but not the lymphofatty tissue surrounding the portion of the inferior mesenteric vein that does not run parallel to the IMA. Evidence about the safety and efficacy of extending CME to include this tissue is lacking.

Combined endoscopic-laparoscopic surgery (CELS) can avoid segmental colectomy in endoscopically unremovable colonic polyps: a cohort study over 10 years.

Background: Combined-Endoscopic-Laparoscopic-Surgery (CELS) was developed for benign colonic polyps, endoscopically unresectable, to avoid segmental colectomy. This observational study aims to compare surgical outcomes of endoscopically unresectable colonic polyps treated laparoscopically before and since the institutional introduction of CELS. Primary endpoint was postoperative morbidity and mortality; secondary endpoints were time of hospitalization and histopathological findings.

Risk factors for ileocolic anastomosis dehiscence; a cohort study.

Background: Anastomotic leak (AL) after ileocolic anastomosis influences morbidity, mortality, length of hospitalization and costs. This study analyzes risk and protective factors for AL on ileocolic anastomoses.

Methods: We retrospectively analyzed our single institution patients' series undergoing elective ileocolic anastomosis for AL between 1/2008-12/2017.

Non-inferiority multicenter prospective randomized controlled study of rectal cancer T-T (superficial) N, M undergoing neoadjuvant treatment and local excision (TEM) vs total mesorectal excision (TME).

Purpose: The standard treatment of rectal adenocarcinoma is total mesorectal excision (TME), in many cases requires a temporary or permanent stoma. TME is associated with high morbidity and genitourinary alterations. Transanal endoscopic microsurgery (TEM) allows access to tumors up to 20 cm from the anal verge, achieves minimal postoperative morbidity and mortality rates, and does not require an ostomy.

Outcomes of colonic diverticulitis according to the reason of immunosuppression.

Background: The aims of this study were to analyze the relationship between the different causes of immunosuppression (IMS) and diverticulitis.

Methods: IMS patients admitted for colonic diverticulitis were included in the study. Patients were divided in 5 groups according to the reasons of IMS: group I, chronic corticosteroid therapy; group II, transplant patients; group III, malignant neoplasm disease; group IV, chronic renal failure; group V, others immunosuppressant treatment.

Update on advances and controversy in rectal cancer treatment.

Changes in the multidisciplinary treatment of rectal cancer have been recently proposed. We performed a comprehensive review of the current data on neoadjuvant and adjuvant treatment of rectal cancer, focussing on chemoradiotherapy treatment and timing of surgery. Six components were proposed as the framework for the treatment of rectal cancer: neoadjuvant therapy and changing patterns in patient selection, long- or short-course radiotherapy, adverse effects of radiotherapy, timing of surgery, non-operative management of rectal cancer and postoperative adjuvant therapy.

Long-term evolution of acute colonic diverticulitis after successful medical treatment.

Background: The evidence is sparse concerning the natural history of acute diverticulitis after successful conservative management. This observational study aimed to evaluate the rate, severity, and need of surgery for recurrence after a first episode of acute diverticulitis successfully managed conservatively.

Methods: All patients admitted for acute diverticulitis between 1994 and 2011 were considered for inclusion in the study.

Evaluating the significance of protein functional similarity based on gene ontology.

Gene ontology is among the most successful ontologies in the biomedical domain. It is used to describe, unambiguously, protein molecular functions, cellular localizations, and processes in which proteins participate. The hierarchical structure of gene ontology allows quantifying protein functional similarity by application of algorithms that calculate semantic similarities.

Emergency surgery for perforated diverticulitis in the immunosuppressed patient.

Aim: Immunosuppression is believed to worsen outcomes for patients who require surgery for perforated diverticulitis. The aim of this study was to compare surgical outcomes between immunocompromised and immunocompetent patients undergoing surgery for complicated diverticulitis.

Method: All patients who underwent emergency surgery for complicated diverticulitis between 2004 and 2012 in a single unit were studied.

Incidence and management of anastomotic bleeding after ileocolic anastomosis.

Aim: Ileocolic anastomosis is performed using a stapled or manual technique, but with either there is a risk of bleeding from the suture line. The aim of this study was to analyse, retrospectively, bleeding after different anastomotic techniques.

Method: Patients having elective right colectomy were divided, according to the type of ileocolic anastomosis, into Group 1 (circular, double-stapled, end-to-side), Group 2 (linear-stapled, side-to-side) and Group 3 (handsewn, side-to-side).

[Current status of elective surgical treatment of ulcerative colitis. A systematic review].

Despite recent advances in the medical treatment of ulcerative colitis (UC), approximately 25-40% of patients will need surgery during their disease. The aim of elective surgical treatment of UC is to remove the colon/and rectum with minimal postoperative morbidity, and to offer a good long-term quality of life. There are several technical options for the surgical treatment of UC; at present, the most frequently offered is restorative proctocolectomy and ileal pouch-anal anastomosis.

Long-term functional results from a randomized clinical study of transverse coloplasty compared with colon J-pouch after low anterior resection for rectal cancer.

Background: The colonic pouch is considered as an alternative to the standard straight low anastomosis after resection for rectal cancer. The aim of this prospective randomized trial was to compare short- and long-term functional results of colonic J-pouch (CJP) and transverse coloplasty (TCP) after low anterior resection for rectal cancer.

Methods: Between 2000 and 2005, patients with mid or low rectal cancer scheduled for an elective sphincter-preserving resection were eligible.

Recurrence and virulence of colonic diverticulitis in immunocompromised patients.

Background: To evaluate the probability of recurrence and the virulence of colonic diverticulitis correlated with immunocompromised status.

Methods: Nine hundred thirty-one patients admitted in a single tertiary referral university hospital over a 14-year period were included. Patients were divided into 2 groups: group 1, 166 immunosuppressed patients, and group 2, 765 nonimmunosuppressed patients.

Risk factors for prolonged postoperative ileus after colorectal cancer surgery.

Background: The aim of this study was to analyze factors contributing to prolonged postoperative ileus (POI) after elective bowel resection in patients with colorectal cancer.

Methods: This was a retrospective review of a prospectively maintained database of patients operated on for colorectal cancer during 2006-2009. Patients with abdominal procedures and bowel resection without anastomotic leakage were included.