Aims and Objectives Illuminate meanings of living with [or close to someone with] an enterocutaneous fistula before and after reconstructive surgery. Background Enterocutaneous fistula is a serious condition affecting the well-being and social life of both patients and families, sometimes for several years. Design A longitudinal qualitative design. Methods Patients and families (n = 14) were followed with dyadic interviews at three occasions, conducted 2017-2020. The interviews were analysed with a phenomenological-hermeneutic approach. COREQ guidelines were followed. Result Living with an enterocutaneous fistula was explained as life being put on hold, while living in a bubble for an uncertain time. This bubble meant facing an unpredictable and restricted life where the dyads were forced to take control over the situation despite being vulnerable inside, striving to resume normality. The patients dealt with never-ending symptoms such as leakage from the fistula, pain and fatigue, while the family supported with practical matters and just being close. Dependency on intravenous fluids resulted in social isolation, which caused mode swings and depressiveness. In this situation, healthcare professionals often became a substitute for other interactions, but the lack of understanding about the dyads situation, affected their trust in the healthcare. Despite all, they still had belief in the future, the patients having higher expectations than the family. Conclusions Living with an enterocutaneous fistula meant a daily life struggling with many limitations. This implies that the transition was associated with difficulties and the dyads strived to accept their situation. Relevance to Clinical Practice The findings indicate that these patients must be cared for with a multidisciplinary approach. A person-centred health plan could impact on the dyads feeling of control and thereby making them less dependent on healthcare. Every patient should have their own contact nurse and be offered psychological support. No Patient or Public Contribution Not applicable due to the current method.

BackgroundWhereas the literature has demonstrated an acceptable safety profile of stapled anastomoses when compared to the hand-sewn alternative in open surgery, the choice of intestinal anastomosis using sutures or staples remains inadequately investigated in robotic surgery. The purpose of this study was to compare the surgical outcomes of both anastomotic techniques in robotic-assisted radical cystectomy.MethodsA retrospective analysis of patients with urinary bladder cancer undergoing cystectomy with urinary diversion and with ileo-ileal intestinal anastomosis at a single tertiary centre (2012–2018) was undertaken. The robotic operating time, hospital stay and GI complications were compared between the robotic-sewn (RS) and stapled anastomosis (SA) groups. The only difference between the groups was the anastomosis technique; the other technical steps during the operation were the same. Primary outcomes were GI complications; the secondary outcome was robotic operation time.ResultsThere were 155 patients, of which 112 (73%) were male. The median age was 71 years old. A surgical stapling device was used to create 66 (43%) separate anastomoses, while a robot-sewn method was employed in 89 (57%) anastomoses. There were no statistically significant differences in primary and secondary outcomes between RS and SA.ConclusionsCompared to stapled anastomosis, a robot-sewn ileo-ileal anastomosis may serve as an alternative and cost-saving approach. 

Risk of optic nerve injury after prolonged Trendelenburgs position Postoperative loss of vision due to acute ischaemic optic nerve injury is a rare complication following pelvic surgery. A steep Trendelenburgs position of the patient, high intraabdominal pressure and a long operative time in Trendelenburgs position are recognised risk factors associated with robot-assisted pelvic surgery. This manuscript presents the underlying pathophysiologic mechanism. Practical tips and tricks for prevention are discussed.

Background Radiotherapy reduces the risk of local recurrence in rectal cancer. However, the optimal radiotherapy fractionation and interval between radiotherapy and surgery is still under debate. We aimed to study recurrence in patients randomised between three different radiotherapy regimens with respect to fractionation and time to surgery. Methods In this multicentre, randomised, non-blinded, phase 3, non-inferiority trial (Stockholm III), all patients with a biopsy-proven adenocarcinoma of the rectum, without signs of non-resectability or distant metastases, without severe cardiovascular comorbidity, and planned for an abdominal resection from 18 Swedish hospitals were eligible. Participants were randomly assigned with permuted blocks, stratified by participating centre, to receive either 5 x 5 Gy radiation dose with surgery within 1 week (short-course radiotherapy) or after 4-8 weeks (short-course radiotherapy with delay) or 25 x 2 Gy radiation dose with surgery after 4-8 weeks (long-course radiotherapy with delay). After a protocol amendment, randomisation could include all three treatments or just the two short-course radiotherapy treatments, per hospital preference. The primary endpoint was time to local recurrence calculated from the date of randomisation to the date of local recurrence. Comparisons between treatment groups were deemed non-inferior if the upper limit of a double-sided 90% CI for the hazard ratio (HR) did not exceed 1.7. Patients were analysed according to intention to treat for all endpoints. This study is registered with ClinicalTrials.gov, number NCT00904813. Findings Between Oct 5, 1998, and Jan 31, 2013, 840 patients were recruited and randomised; 385 patients in the three-arm randomisation, of whom 129 patients were randomly assigned to short-course radiotherapy, 128 to short-course radiotherapy with delay, and 128 to long-course radiotherapy with delay, and 455 patients in the two-arm randomisation, of whom 228 were randomly assigned to short-course radiotherapy and 227 to short-course radiotherapy with delay. In patients with any local recurrence, median time from date of randomisation to local recurrence in the pooled short-course radiotherapy comparison was 33.4 months (range 18.2-62.2) in the short-course radiotherapy group and 19.3 months (8.5-39.5) in the short-course radiotherapy with delay group. Median time to local recurrence in the long-course radiotherapy with delay group was 33.3 months (range 17.8-114.3). Cumulative incidence of local recurrence in the whole trial was eight of 357 patients who received short-course radiotherapy, ten of 355 who received short-course radiotherapy with delay, and seven of 128 who received long-course radiotherapy (HR vs short-course radiotherapy: short-course radiotherapy with delay 1.44 [95% CI 0.41-5.11]; long-course radiotherapy with delay 2.24 [0.71-7.10]; p=0.48; both deemed non-inferior). Acute radiation-induced toxicity was recorded in one patient (amp;lt;1%) of 357 after short-course radiotherapy, 23 (7%) of 355 after short-course radiotherapy with delay, and six (5%) of 128 patients after long-course radiotherapy with delay. Frequency of postoperative complications was similar between all arms when the three-arm randomisation was analysed (65 [50%] of 129 patients in the short-course radiotherapy group; 48 [38%] of 128 patients in the short-course radiotherapy with delay group; 50 [39%] of 128 patients in the long-course radiotherapy with delay group; odds ratio [OR] vs short-course radiotherapy: short-course radiotherapy with delay 0.59 [95% CI 0.36-0.97], long-course radiotherapy with delay 0.63 [0.38-1.04], p=0.075). However, in a pooled analysis of the two short-course radiotherapy regimens, the risk of postoperative complications was significantly lower after short-course radiotherapy with delay than after short-course radiotherapy (144 [53%] of 355 vs 188 [41%] of 357; OR 0.61 [95% CI 0.45-0.83] p=0.001). Interpretation Delaying surgery after short-course radiotherapy gives similar oncological results compared with short-course radiotherapy with immediate surgery. Long-course radiotherapy with delay is similar to both short-course radiotherapy regimens, but prolongs the treatment time substantially. Although radiation-induced toxicity was seen after short-course radiotherapy with delay, postoperative complications were significantly reduced compared with short-course radiotherapy. Based on these findings, we suggest that short-course radiotherapy with delay to surgery is a useful alternative to conventional short-course radiotherapy with immediate surgery.

Background: Pathological complete response (pCR) after neoadjuvant therapy in rectal cancer is correlated with improved survival. There is limited knowledge on the incidence of pCR at a national level with uniform guidelines. The aim of this prospective register-based study was to investigate the incidence and outcome of pCR in relation to neoadjuvant therapy in a national cohort. Method: All patients abdominally operated for rectal cancer between 2007 and 2012 (n = 7885) were selected from The Swedish Colorectal Cancer Register. Twenty-six per cent (n = 2063) had neoadjuvant therapy with either long or short course radiotherapy with amp;gt;4 weeks delay with the potential to achieve pCR. The primary endpoints were pCR and survival in relation to neoadjuvant therapy. Results: Complete eradication of the luminal tumor, ypTO was found in 161 patients (8%). In 83% of the ypTO the regional lymph nodes were tumor negative (ypTONO), 12% had 1-3 positive lymph nodes (ypTON1) and 4% had more than three positive lymph nodes (ypTON2). There was significantly greater survival with ypTO compared to ypT+ (hazard ratio 0.38 (C.I 0.25-0.58)) and survival was significantly greater in patients with ypTONO compared to ypT0N1-2 (hazard ratio 0.36 (C.I 0.15-0.86)). In ypTO, cT3-4 tumors had the greater risk of node-positivity. The added use of chemotherapy resulted in 10% ypTO compared to 5.1% in the group without chemotherapy (p amp;lt; 0.00004). Conclusion: Luminal pathological complete response occurred in 8%, 16% of them had tumor positive nodes. The survival benefit of luminal complete response is dependent upon nodal involvement status. (C) 2016 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Objective. Biofeedback and medical treatments have been extensively used for moderate fecal incontinence (FI). There is limited data comparing and combining these two treatments. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of biofeedback and medical treatments, separately and in combination. Material and methods. Sixty-four consecutive female patients, referred to a tertiary centre for FI, were included. The patients were randomized to start with either biofeedback (4-6 months) or medical treatment with loperamide and stool-bulking agents (2 months). Both groups continued with a combination of treatments, i.e. medical treatment was added to biofeedback and vice versa. A two-week prospective bowel symptom diary and anorectal physiology were evaluated at baseline, after single-and combination treatments. Results. Fifty-seven patients completed the study. Median number of leakage episodes during two weeks decreased from 6 to 3 (p less than 0.0001) from baseline to completion. The patients showed a significant (1) decrease in number of leakages without forewarning (p = 0.04); (2) decrease in number of stools with urgency (p = 0.001); (3) decrease in number of loose stool consistency; and (4) an increase in rectal sensory thresholds, both for maximum tolerable rectal pressure and first sensation (less than 0.01). The combination treatment was superior to both single treatments in terms of symptoms and functions. There was no significant difference between the two groups at any time point. Conclusions. The combination therapy with biofeedback and medical treatment is effective for symptom relief in FI. The symptom improvement was associated with improved fecal consistency, reduced urgency, and increased rectal sensory thresholds.

Aims and objectives. The purpose of this study was to describe patients experiences of living with an enterocutaneous fistula. Background. An enterocutaneous fistula is a complex and serious illness that usually occurs as a complication from surgery or spontaneously as a result of an underlying disease. The illness is demanding both physically and mentally and causes substantial medical and nursing problems for the afflicted individual. Design. A descriptive design with a qualitative approach. Methods. In-depth interviews were performed with nine participants who had experiences of living with an enterocutaneous fistula. The analysis was conducted using descriptive phenomenology according to Giorgi. Results. The essence of this study was that living with an enterocutaneous fistula is about handling an illness that causes several limitations in daily life and the following five themes emerged from the data: restrictions in daily life, approaches to illness, emotions, dependence and need of support. A constant fear of leakage from the fistula appliance, being dependent on intravenous fluids and being dependent on health care professionals caused isolation and social restriction. Conclusions. The participants had many strategies for handling their illness. By being well trained, engaged and having a positive and understanding approach, health care professionals can encourage hope, motivation and self-care. This can lead to decreased dependence and help the patient to better handle their illness. Relevance to clinical practice. The competence of health care professionals is essential in the care of patients with an enterocutaneous fistula.

A patient with locally advanced adenocarcinoma of the rectum was operated with abdominoperineal resection and perineal reconstruction with a vertical rectus abdominis musculocutaneous flap. Six days postoperatively, there was herniation of the small bowel, between the anterior and posterior rectus sheaths, to a subcutaneous location.

BACKGROUND: Anorectal function after rectal surgery with low anastomosis is often impaired. Outcome of long-term anorectal function is poorly understood but may improve over time. OBJECTIVE: We evaluated anorectal function 5 years after low anterior resection for cancer with regard to whether patients had a temporary stoma at initial resection. The objective of this study was to assess changes in anorectal function over time by comparing the results with anorectal function 1 year after rectal resection. DESIGN: This study was a secondary end point of a randomized, multicenter controlled trial. SETTINGS: The study was conducted at 21 Swedish hospitals performing rectal cancer surgery from 1999 to 2005. PATIENTS: Patients included were those operated on with low anterior resection. INTERVENTIONS: Patients were randomly assigned to receive or not receive a defunctioning stoma. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: We evaluated anorectal function in patients who were initially randomly assigned to the defunctioning stoma or no stoma group, who had been free of stoma for 5 years, by means of using a standardized patient questionnaire. Questions addressed stool frequency, urgency, fragmentation of bowel movements, evacuation difficulties, incontinence, lifestyle alterations, and patient preference regarding permanent stoma formation. Results were compared with the same patient cohort at 1-year follow-up. RESULTS: A total of 123 patients answered the bowel function questionnaire (65 in the no-stoma group and 58 in the stoma group). No differences were found between groups regarding the number of passed stools, need for medication to open the bowel, evacuation difficulties, incontinence, and urgency. General well-being was significantly better in the no-stoma group (p = 0.033). Comparison with anorectal function at 1 year showed no further changes over time. LIMITATIONS: The study was based on a limited sample size (n = 123) and formed a secondary end point of a randomized trial. CONCLUSIONS: Anorectal function was impaired for many patients, but the temporary presence of a defunctioning stoma after rectal resection did not affect long-term outcome. Anorectal function did not change between 1-year and 5-year follow-up.

Aim The aim of the study was to compare patients with symptomatic anastomotic leakage following low anterior resection of the rectum (LAR) for cancer diagnosed during the initial hospital stay with those in whom leakage was diagnosed after hospital discharge. Method Forty-five patients undergoing LAR (n=234) entered into a randomized multicentre trial (NCT 00636948), who developed symptomatic anastomotic leakage, were identified. A comparison was made between patients diagnosed during the initial hospital stay on median postoperative day 8 (early leakage, EL; n=27) and patients diagnosed after hospital discharge at median postoperative day 22 (late leakage, LL; n=18). Patient characteristics, operative details, postoperative course and anatomical localization of the leakage were analysed. Results Leakage from the circular stapler line of an end-to-end anastomosis was more common in EL, while leakage from the stapler line of the efferent limb of the J-pouch or side-to-end anastomosis tended to be more frequent in LL (P=0.057). Intra-operative blood loss (P=0.006) and operation time (P=0.071) were increased in EL compared with LL. On postoperative day 5, EL performed worse than LL with regard to temperature (P=0.021), oral intake (P=0.006) and recovery of bowel activity (P=0.054). Anastomotic leakage was diagnosed most often by a rectal contrast study in EL and by CT scan in LL. The median initial hospital stay was 28days for EL and 10days for LL (Pandlt;0.001). Conclusion The present study has demonstrated that symptomatic anastomotic leakage can present before and after hospital discharge and raises the question of whether early and late leakage after LAR may be different entities.