Background There is scarcity of trials about preventative strategies for low anterior resection syndrome (LARS) in rectal cancer patients. The aim of this study is to evaluate the effectiveness of a pre- and post-surgical pelvic floor rehabilitation program on the bowel symptoms, pelvic floor function, and quality of life of rectal cancer patients. Methods A randomized controlled trial with parallel groups (pelvic floor rehabilitation versus control group), with a blinded evaluator. Participants and setting: 56 stage I to III rectal cancer patients aged from 18 to 80 years old undergoing sphincter preservation surgery at Hospital del Salvador and who have a sufficient knowledge of Spanish. Main outcome measures: ICIQ-B questionnaire for intestinal symptoms, high-resolution anorectal manometry (Alacer Multiplex 24-channel manometry equipment) for anorectal function, pelvic floor muscle strength test with Oxford Modified Scale, and a quality of life test with the EORTC QLQ C30 questionnaire. The evaluations will be carried out at five stages: before surgery, before and after the pelvic floor rehabilitation, and during a 3-month and 1-year follow-up. Interventions: one pre-rehabilitation session and 9 to 12 sessions of pelvic floor rehabilitation, including patient education, pelvic floor muscle exercises, pelvic floor electromyography biofeedback, and capacitive and sensory rectal training with a balloon probe. Rehabilitation will begin 3–5 weeks before the ileostomy is removed (four sessions) and around 3 weeks after stoma removal (5–8 sessions). Discussion We expect the program to improve the bowel symptoms, pelvic floor function, and quality of life of rectal cancer patients. Trial registration Australian New Zealand Clinical Trials Register ACTRN12620000040965. Registered on 21 January 2020.

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Mesenteric heterotopic ossification after open abdomen and its surgical management. Presentation of a case Objective: Report the case of a patient with a history of multiple surgeries due to peritonitis and open abdomen, with intraoperative finding of mesenetrioc heterotopic ossification. Clinical case: A 59-year-old male patient with a history of complicated appendectomy 12 months ago, which requires the management of an open abdomen, right colectomy and terminal ileostomy. One year after appendectomy, is readmitted for transit reconstitution. Intraoperative finding were calcified mass in mesentery, of 15 x 10 x 6 cm, whose histological study reports mesenteric heterotopic ossification. This entity has low frequency, and is associated with a history of trauma and abdominal surgery, is described as a cause of morbidity and mortality. Resective surgical management is feasible for experienced teams. Conclusion: A case with antecedent of open abdomen is described, with later finding of mesenteric heterotopic ossification. This clinical case is representative for its classic risk factors and management used for its resolution.

Strategies to advance recovery (StAr) protocol implemented colorectal cancer patients during the COVID-19 pandemicBackground: SARS-CoV-2 hampered the resolution of multiple diseases, including cancer. Aim: To show that a multidisciplinary program of Strategies to Advance Recovery (STAR) can be implemented in a public hospital in Chile, despite the global pandemic and state of a national catastrophe, to provide a solution to cancer patients. Material and Methods: A retrospective descriptive study, of patients requiring an elective resolution of a colorectal cancer. Patients met the inclusion criteria, established in the STAR program. A total of 24 perioperative interventions were performed in the protocol. Demographic variables, days of hospitalization, complications, mortality, and readmissions were described. Results: The 24 interventions of the protocol were successfully implemented, although some partially. Sixteen patients aged 53 to 83 years (50% women) were operated. The median length of hospitalization was four days (range 2 to 9). Four complications were recorded, all were grade I or II according to the Clavien-Dindo classification. Two patients were readmitted. There were no reoperations or mortality. One patient was infected with coronavirus, diagnosed at the time of readmission. Conclusions: The STAR protocol reduces the length of hospital stay. In a pandemic context such as COVID-19 it becomes a useful resource and can be implemented in cancer patients, as herein reported.