Surgical Quality Assurance in COLOR III: Standardization and Competency Assessment in a Randomized Controlled Trial.

Objective: The aim of this study was to develop an objective and reliable surgical quality assurance system (SQA) for COLOR III, an international multicenter randomized controlled trial (RCT) comparing transanal total mesorectal excision (TaTME) with laparoscopic approach for rectal cancer.

Background Of Summary Data: SQA influences outcome measures in RCTs such as lymph nodes harvest, in-hospital mortality, and locoregional cancer recurrence. However, levels of SQA are variable.

Short- and long-term outcomes after colorectal anastomotic leakage is affected by surgical approach at reoperation.

Background: Anastomotic leakage is the most serious surgical complication following colorectal resection, and surgical intervention is often required. The purpose of the study was to investigate short- and long-term outcomes after reoperation for anastomotic leakage.

Method: Patients with a symptomatic anastomotic leakage following a laparoscopic colorectal cancer resection from January 2009 to December 2014 were identified from our local prospective database.

Combined laparoscopic and transanal total mesorectal excision for rectal cancer: Initial experience and early results.

Introduction: Incomplete specimens resulting in residual mesorectum in the patient and an increased risk of local recurrence remains a problem. We have introduced transanal-total mesorectal excision (Ta-TME) in our department to potentially overcome this problem due to more direct access to the lower pelvis in patients undergoing TME for rectal cancer and this article presents our initial experience with the new procedure.

Materials And Methods: Patients with a T1-T3 mid or low rectal cancer eligible for TME or intersphincteric abdominoperineal excision were selected for a combined transanal and transabdominal laparoscopic resection.

Has PET/CT a role in the characterization of indeterminate lung lesions on staging CT in colorectal cancer? A prospective study.

Purpose: CT has been found superior to chest x-ray to detect lung malignances. However, indeterminate lung lesions (ILL) are found in 4-42% by using CT in staging colorectal cancer (CRC) patients. Our aim was to examine the frequency of ILL on staging CT and the rate of the ILL being malignant, and to investigate if PET/CT was useful in pointing out the malignant cases.

A minority of patients discharged within 24 hours after laparoscopic colon resection.

Introduction: Fast-track laparoscopic colon surgery has gained wide acceptance worldwide. Post-operative hospital stays of 2-5 days have typically been reported. However, in our department some of the patients have been discharged within 24 h after surgery.