Multicentric national Italian analysis of textbook outcome in colorectal cancer surgery: The ATOCCS Study protocol on behalf of the Italian Surgical Association (ACOI, Associazione Chirurghi Ospedalieri Italiani)

Abstract

Background: Colorectal cancer (CRC) is a leading cause of cancer-related mortality worldwide. Despite advancements in surgical techniques and perioperative care, patient outcomes vary significantly across healthcare institutions. Textbook outcome (TO), a composite metric representing an ideal postoperative course, has been proposed as a standard for assessing the quality of surgical care in CRC. However, its impact on patient outcomes remains underexplored, particularly across diverse clinical settings. Objective: This study aims to explore surgeons’ adherence to TO criteria and identify patient-specific and procedural risk factors associated with TO failure. The study will also evaluate TO as a quality metric in CRC surgery, examining its association with short-term and long-term clinical outcomes in a multicenter cohort. Methods: This multicenter, retrospective cohort study will include all adult patients undergoing CRC resection between 1 January 2022 and 31 December 2024 across multiple centers in Italy, on behalf of the Italian Surgical Association (ACOI, Associazione Chirurghi Ospedalieri Italiani). The study will collect and analyze demographic, clinical, and surgical data to determine TO incidence and its association with key outcomes, including radical resection, 30-day mortality, morbidity, no reintervention, no ostomy placement, and a hospital stay of 14 days or less. Conclusions: This study will offer valuable insights into the utility of TO as a metric for evaluating the quality of care in CRC surgery. These findings may inform future guidelines and policies aimed at improving CRC surgical outcomes.