Proctocolectomy. 1. Avoiding an ileostomy.

1-5% of all patients presenting with colorectal cancer, have an underlying genetic predisposition with an autosomal dominant of pattern of inheritance. Recently the underlying molecular genetic pathway of this syndrome known as HNPCC (hereditary nonpolyposis colorectal cancer) has been characterized: the predisposition is due to a pathogenic mutation in one of the DNA mismatch-repair genes. Colorectal cancers are the leading characterisitic of the syndrom and are frequently encountered at a young age of onset. However, endometrial cancer, stomach cancer, small bowel cancer, urinary tract cancer and skin cancer among others are also inherent to the syndrome. Based on the identification of the underlying molecular genetic pathway, predictive testing has become an option. Once the family-specific underlying pathogenic mutation in one of the DNA mismatch-repair genes has been identified in a proband, at-risk family members may be offered DNA testing with an unequivocal answer to if or if not they have inherited the increased cancer susceptibility. Multiple facets of family DNA testing require a multidisciplinary approach integrating clinicians, geneticists, psychologists, molecular biologist and pathologists. Mutations are identified in a rate of 50-60% of families complying with the Amsterdam criteria for HNPCC. The incidence of recta cancer in HNPCC has as yet not clearly been defined, due to a lack of unequivocal data. In a retrospective analysis (submitted) rectal cancers were encountered in 30% of the HNPCC patients. Half of the patients affected developed metachronous colon cancers. It is essential to address the issue of prophylactic surgery in HNPCC patients presenting with colorectal cancer: Prospective data is required in order to decide which of the options is more beneficial for the HNPCC patient presenting with his first colorectal primary: subtotal colectomy and ileorectal anastomosis versus restorative proctocolectomy. It is evident that apart from the more clinical data quality of life data must be evaluated in this study.

Colectomy↗

PubMed2001

Is unplanned return to the operating room a useful quality indicator in general surgery?

HYPOTHESIS: To test our hypothesis that unplanned return to the operating room (OR) is a useful quality indicator, we examined how often and for what reasons patients go back to the OR in a broad-based general surgery practice. DESIGN AND SETTING: Prospective cohort study at a rural tertiary care center. PATIENTS: Consecutive series of 3044 patients undergoing general surgery procedures in the OR between September 1, 1998, and March 31, 2000. Information about all postoperative adverse events occurring before discharge or within 30 days (whichever was longer) was collected prospectively. Unplanned return to the OR was defined as any secondary procedure required for a complication resulting directly or indirectly from the index operation. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Unplanned return to the OR, mortality, and hospital charges. RESULTS: Overall, 107 (3.5%) had an unplanned return to the OR. A relatively small number of inpatient procedures accounted for a disproportionate share of unplanned reoperations, including colon resection (18% of total reoperations), renal transplant (9%), gastric bypass (6%), and pancreatic resection (6%). As expected, hospital charges were markedly higher for patients with unplanned returns to the OR. Reoperation was also associated with higher mortality rates; statistically significant increases were noted for pancreatic resection (33% vs 3.7%; P =.04), esophagogastrectomy (100% vs 4.2%; P =.002), and laparoscopic Nissen fundoplication (50% vs 0%; P =.01). Overall, 91 reoperations (85%) were for complications occurring at the original surgical site, including those related to an anastomosis (n = 16), surgical wound (n = 21), infection (n = 16), bleeding (n = 12), and other (n = 26). CONCLUSIONS: Unplanned returns to the OR occur across a broad spectrum of general surgical procedures and carry significant implications. Because they most often reflect problems related to the procedure itself, reoperation rates may be useful for monitoring quality across hospitals and for identifying opportunities for quality improvement locally.

Colectomy↗