No abstract

Background Colorectal cancer often presents with obstruction needing urgent, potentially life-saving decompression. The comparative efficacy and safety of endoluminal stenting versus emergency surgery as initial treatment for such patients is uncertain. Methods Patients with left-sided colonic obstruction and radiological features of carcinoma were randomized to endoluminal stenting using a combined endoscopic/fluoroscopic technique followed by elective surgery 1–4 weeks later, or surgical decompression with or without tumour resection. Treatment allocation was via a central randomization service using a minimization procedure stratified by curative intent, primary tumour site, and severity score (Acute Physiology And Chronic Health Evaluation). Co-primary outcome measures were duration of hospital stay and 30-day mortality. Secondary outcomes were stoma formation, stenting completion and complication rates, perioperative morbidity, 6-month survival, 3-year recurrence, resource use, adherence to chemotherapy, and quality of life. Analyses were undertaken by intention to treat. Results Between 23 April 2009 and 22 December 2014, 245 patients from 39 hospitals were randomized. Stenting was attempted in 119 of 123 allocated patients (96.7 per cent), achieving relief of obstruction in 98 of 119 (82.4 per cent). For the 89 per cent treated with curative intent, there were no significant differences in 30-day postoperative mortality (3.6 per cent (4 of 110) versus 5.6 per cent (6 of 107); P = 0.48), or duration of hospital stay (median 19 (i.q.r. 11–34) versus 18 (10–28) days; P = 0.94) between stenting followed by delayed elective surgery and emergency surgery. Among patients undergoing potentially curative treatment, stoma formation occurred less frequently in those allocated to stenting than those allocated to immediate surgery (47 of 99 (47.5 per cent) versus 72 of 106 (67.9 per cent); P = 0.003). There were no significant differences in perioperative morbidity, critical care use, quality of life, 3-year recurrence or mortality between treatment groups. Conclusion Stenting as a bridge to surgery reduces stoma formation without detrimental effects. Registration number: ISRCTN13846816 (http://www.controlled-trials.com).

No abstract

Rectal bleeding following any form of rectal surgery is a well recognised complication 1, 2, 3 & 4. However retro-rectal bleeding and tracking which then presents as rectal bleeding has not been reported in the literature. We describe a novel way of dealing with this technically difficult post-operative complication.We present two cases of significant rectal bleeding (one following STARR procedure and other after Delormes procedure). Both patients had to be taken back to theatre due to continuing, significant bleeding. Examination under anaesthesia on both occasions revealed a posterior boggy swelling, with an opening which admitted a finger. In both cases clots were evacuated and a corrugated drain was inserted in to the retro rectal space.The authors believe that following any form of rectal surgery, retro-rectal bleeding with tracking can present as rectal bleeding. Treatment in the form of EUA and insertion of corrugated helped to resolve the problem.We present both cases and literature review of the complications of stapled haemorrhoidopexy.

The results of 118 consecutive common bile duct explorations via transduodenal sphincteroplasty are presented and analysed. The operations were performed for suspected choledocholithiasis by one surgeon over a 10-year period. Choledocholithiasis was proved in 22 per cent of the cholecystectomies carried out during this period and tended to present significantly earlier in females, 14.5 per cent presenting before 35 years of age. One hundred and four survivors were traced and 93.5 per cent had achieved a good result at a mean 5-year follow-up.