ConclusionsThe VRAM flap is well established for perineal reconstruction and this study suggests it may be superior to the gluteal and gracilis flaps in terms perineal wound and flap complications rates. This should be taken into account when weighing up the risks and benefits of a laparoscopic approach to APER. Large studies making direct comparisons between the flap options should be conducted.

Purpose Faecal Immunochemical Test (FIT) has proven utility for Colorectal Cancer (CRC) detection in symptomatic patients. Most studies have examined FIT in symptomatic patients subsequently referred from primary care. We investigated associations between CRC and FIT in both referred and non-referred symptomatic patients. Methods A retrospective, observational study of all patients with a FIT submitted Aug 2018 to Jan 2019 in NHS GG&C was performed. Referral to colorectal/gastroenterology and decision to perform colonoscopy were recorded. FIT results were grouped as f-Hb < 10/10–149/150–399/ ≥ 400 μg/g. The MCN cancer registry identified new cases of CRC. Covariables were compared using the χ2 test. Multivariate binary logistic regression identified independent predictors of CRC. Results A total of 4968 patients were included. Raised FIT correlated with decision to refer (p < 0.001) and scope (p < 0.001). With 23-month median follow-up, 61 patients were diagnosed with CRC. These patients were older (median 69 vs 59 years, cancer and no cancer respectively, p = 0.001), more likely to be male (55.7% vs 42.1%, p = 0.033), and to report rectal bleeding (51.7% vs 36.1%, p = 0.013). FIT (< 10 µg/g 8.2% vs 76.7% and ≥ 400 µg/g 55.7% vs 3.8%, p < 0.001) and anaemia (45.9% vs 19.7%, p < 0.001) were associated with CRC. On multivariate analysis, age (p = 0.023), male sex (p = 0.04), FIT (≥ 400 OR 54.256 (95% CI:20.683–142.325; p < 0.001)), and anaemia (OR 1.956 (1.071–3.574; p = 0.029)) independently predicted CRC. One patient (0.04%) with a negative FIT and normal haemoglobin had CRC. Conclusion GP referral and secondary care investigation patterns were influenced by FIT. The combination of normal Hb and f-Hb excluded CRC in 99.96% of cases, providing excellent reassurance to those prioritising access to endoscopy services.

Background The present study aimed to characterise the prevalence and prognostic impact of normocytic anaemia in patients undergoing curative treatment for colorectal cancer. Methods All individuals invited to the first round of bowel cancer screening, diagnosed with colorectal cancer and treated with curative intent from April 2009 to March 2011 in a single health board were included. The modified Glasgow prognostic score (mGPS) was used to quantify preoperative systemic inflammation. Patients were grouped as having microcytic anaemia (Hb < 130 mg/L males, < 120 mg/ L females and MCV < 80 fL), normocytic anaemia (Hb < 130 mg/L males, < 120 mg/L females and MCV 80-100 fL), or neither. Results Of 395,097 patients invited to screening during the study period, 872 were diagnosed with colorectal cancer. Seven hundred seventy-seven patients had FBC measured at diagnosis, of which 78 (10%) had microcytic anaemia, and 180 (23%) normocytic anaemia. On multivariate binary logistic regression, microcytic anaemia was associated with T stage (OR 1.92, 95% CI 1.26-2.91, p = 0.002) and mGPS (OR 1.57, 95% CI 1.10-2.24, p = 0.013), while normocytic anaemia was associated with colonic tumours (OR = 2.51, 95% CI 1.10-4.01, p = 0.025), T stage (OR 1.38, 95% CI 1.05-1.81, p = 0.022), and mGPS (OR 1.52, 95% CI 1.12-2.05, p = 0.007). On univariate Cox regression, there was no significant association between microcytic anaemia and cancer specific survival (CSS) (p = 0.969). Normocytic anaemia was significantly associated with poorer CSS (HR 1.55, 95% CI 1.13-2.12, p = 0.007). Conclusions Normocytic anaemia was associated with systemic inflammation and poorer CSS. Inflammation may drive both anaemia and disease recurrence in these patients, and targeting this process may improve both.

Colonoscopic lesion localisation was found to be inaccurate in 79.3% cases, and with pre-operative CT unable to detect all lesions, this study confirms that accurate lesion localisation in the modern era is increasingly reliant on colonoscopy. Incomplete colonoscopy was the only significant factor that influenced inaccurate lesion localisation at colonoscopy.