Purpose: The prognostic significance and treatment of lateral pelvic lymph node metastasis (mLPLN) in rectal cancer patients receiving neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy (nCRT) are not well understood. In this study, we evaluated the impact of mLPLN identified in imaging modality on outcomes. Methods: Between January 2008 and December 2016, 1,535 patients who underwent radical resection following nCRT were identified. The association between mLPLN and disease-free survival (DFS), overall survival (OS), local recurrencefree survival (LRFS), and pelvic recurrence-free survival (PRFS) was analyzed, along with risk factors associated with OS and DFS. Results: Overall, 329 (21.4%) of the 1,535 patients experienced disease recurrence; 71 (4.6%) had local recurrence, 25 (1.6%) had pelvic recurrence, and 312 (20.3%) had distant recurrence. The pre- and post-nCRT mLPLN (–) groups had better DFS, LRFS, PRFS, and OS than the (+) groups. LPLN sampling (LPLNs) was implemented in 24.0% of the pre-nCRT mLPLN (+) group and in 28.8% of the post-nCRT mLPLN (+) group. There was no significant difference in OS and LRFS between LPLNs group and no LPLNs group in pre- and post-nCRT mLPLN (+) groups. Pre-nCRT mLPLN was associated with poor OS (hazard ratio [HR], 1.43; P = 0.009) and post-nCRT mLPLN was associated with poor DFS (HR, 1.49; P = 0.002). Conclusion Pre- and post-nCRT mLPLN (+) have different prognostic effects. Post-nCRT mLPLN appears to be more important for disease control. However, pre-nCRT mLPLN should not be disregarded when devising a treatment strategy since it is an independent risk factor for OS.

PURPOSE: In this study, we evaluated the role of various anastomoses in surgical recurrence for patients with Crohn disease (CD). METHODS: We analyzed data retrospectively from consecutive laparotomy cases involving complicated CD between 1991 and 2008. Clinical data were compared in terms of reoperation-free survival (RFS) according to the types of anastomoses, the materials used for the anastomoses, and the operating surgeon. RESULTS: Of 233 patients with entero-enteric or entero-colic anastomoses, 199 (85%), 11 (5%), and 23 (10%) experienced side-to-side (SS), side-to-end (SE), and end-to-end (EE) anastomoses, respectively. The SS group had the following characteristics: more extensive bowel involvement, frequent obstruction, and greater stapler use; the SS anastomoses were also frequently made by specialized surgeons (P < 0.001–0.004). EE anastomoses were frequently made by general surgeons using a hand-sewing technique (P < 0.001). No differences in RFS were noted among the 3 groups according to the type of anastomosis and the operating surgeon. However, the hand-sewn group showed better RFS than the stapler group (P = 0.04). CONCLUSION: The roles of the anastomotic configuration, the material used, and the operating surgeon were not significantly correlated with reoperations or complications in our retrospective CD cohort, irrespective of the higher risk of anastomosis site stricture for EE anastomoses.
Cohort Studies ; Constriction, Pathologic ; Crohn Disease* ; Humans ; Inflammatory Bowel Diseases ; Laparotomy ; Recurrence ; Retrospective Studies ; Surgeons ; Treatment Outcome

PURPOSE: A diverting stoma is known to reduce the consequences of distal anastomotic failure following colorectal surgery. The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of a diverting stoma after an ultra-low anterior resection (uLAR) for rectal cancer. METHODS: Between 2000 and 2007, 836 patients who underwent an uLAR were divided into two groups, depending on the fecal diversion: 246 received fecal diversion, and 590 had no diversion. Patient- and disease-related variables were compared between the two groups. RESULTS: Thirty-two of the 836 patients (3.8%) had immediate anastomosis-related complications and required reoperation. Anastomosis leakage comprised 72% of the complications (23/32). The overall immediate complication rate was significantly lower in patients with a diverting stoma (0.8%, 2/246) compared to those without a diverting stoma (5.1%, 30/590; P = 0.005). The fecal diversion group had lower tumor location, lower anastomosis level, and more preoperative chemo-radiation therapy (P < 0.001). In total, 12% of patients in the diverting stoma group had complications either in making or reversing the stoma (30/246). CONCLUSION: The diverting stoma decreased the rate of immediate anastomosis-related complications. However, the rate of complications associated with the diverting stoma was non-negligible, so strict criteria should be applied when deciding whether to use a diverting stoma.
Colorectal Surgery ; Humans ; Ileostomy ; Rectal Neoplasms ; Reoperation

The majority of malignant melanomas in the small intestine are metastases from primary cutaneous lesions, it can also develop as a primary mucosal tumor in the gastrointestinal tract. In this report, we present rare cases of primary small bowel melanoma and review the current literature. A 78-year-old male presented with abdominal pain and CT enterography identified a ileal mass. A 79-year-old female presented with signs and symptoms of partial small bowel obstruction. Abdominopelvic CT and small bowel series revealed a obstructing mass in the distal jejunum. The masses were confirmed on laparotomy and histologically diagnosed as melanoma. Extensive postoperative clinical examination revealed no cutaneous lesions. A primary small bowel melanoma is an extremely rare neoplasm. A definite diagnosis can only be made after a thorough investigation has been made to exclude the coexistence of a primary lesion. Curative resection of the tumor remains the treatment of choice.
Abdominal Pain ; Aged ; Diagnosis ; Female ; Gastrointestinal Tract ; Humans ; Intestine, Small* ; Jejunum ; Laparotomy ; Male ; Melanoma* ; Neoplasm Metastasis

PURPOSE: Colorectal cancer is believed to progress through an adenoma-carcinoma sequence. However, recent evidence increasingly supports the existence of an alternative route for colorectal carcinogenesis through a serrated adenoma, which combines the architectural features of hyperplastic polyps with the cytological features of traditional adenomas. We assessed the characteristics and the endoscopic features of serrated adenomas and compared them with those of hyperplastic polyps and traditional adenomas in Korea. METHODS: The medical records of 344 consecutive patients who underwent a colonoscopic biopsy or polypectomy from January 2003 through August 2004 at Gyeongsang National University Hospital were analyzed retrospectively. RESULTS: Serrated adenomas were seen in 12 cases (3.4%), and the most common site was the rectum (50%). Endoscopically in most cases, the serrated adenomas had small diameters (< or = 0.5 cm) and were single polyps. Morphologically, the serrated adenomas were flat and non-pedunculated. The coincidental rate of the carcinomas was 8.3%. CONCLUSIONS: According to this study, serrated adenomas are generally single, sessile adenomas with diameters less than 5 mm, and they are commonly observed in the left colon, especially in the rectum.
Adenoma* ; Biopsy ; Carcinogenesis ; Colon ; Colorectal Neoplasms ; Humans ; Korea ; Medical Records ; Polyps ; Rectum ; Retrospective Studies

PURPOSE: We evaluate the prognostic value of primary tumor location for oncologic outcomes in patients with colon cancer (CC). METHODS: CC patients treated with curative surgery between 2009 and 2012 were classified into 2 groups: right-sided colon cancer (RCC) and left-sided colon cancer (LCC). Recurrence-free survival (RFS) and overall survival (OS) were examined based on tumor stage. Propensity scores were created using eight variables (age, sex, T stage, N stage, histologic grade, presence of lymphovascular invasion/perineural invasion, and microsatellite instability status). RESULTS: Overall, 2,329 patients were identified. The 5-year RFSs for RCC and LCC patients were 89.7% and 88.4% (P = 0.328), respectively, and their 5-year OSs were 90.9% and 93.4% (P = 0.062). Multivariate survival analyses were carried out by using the Cox regression proportional hazard model. In the unadjusted analysis, a marginal increase in overall mortality was seen in RCC patients (hazard ratio [HR], 1.297; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.987–1.704, P = 0.062); however, after multivariable adjustment, similar OSs were observed in those patients (HR, 1.219; 95% CI, 0.91–1.633; P = 0.183). After propensity-score matching with a total of 1,560 patients, no significant difference was identified (P = 0.183). A slightly worse OS was seen for stage III RCC patients (HR, 1.561; 95% CI, 0.967–2.522; P = 0.068) than for stage III LCC patients. The 5-year OSs for patients with stage III RCC and stage III LCC were 85.5% and 90.5%, respectively (P = 0.133). CONCLUSION: Although the results are inconclusive, tumor location tended to be associated with OS in CC patients with lymph node metastasis, but it was not related to oncologic outcome.
Colon ; Colonic Neoplasms ; Humans ; Lymph Nodes ; Microsatellite Instability ; Mortality ; Neoplasm Metastasis ; Propensity Score ; Proportional Hazards Models ; Treatment Outcome

PURPOSE: We evaluated the oncologic outcomes of organ-preserving strategies in patients with rectal cancer treated with preoperative chemoradiotherapy (PCRT). METHODS: Between January 2008 and January 2013, 74 patients who underwent wait-and-watch (WW) (n = 42) and local excision (LE) (n = 32) were enrolled. Organ-preserving strategies were determined based on a combination of magnetic resonance imaging, sigmoidoscopy, and physical examination 4–6 weeks after completion of PCRT. The rectum sparing rate, 5-year recurrence-free survival (RFS), and overall survival (OS) were evaluated. RESULTS: The rectum was more frequently spared in the LE (100% vs. 87.5%, P = 0.018) at last follow-up. Recurrence occurred in 9 (28.1%) WW and 7 (16.7%) LE (P = 0.169). In the WW, 7 patients had only luminal regrowth and 2 had combined lung metastasis. In the LE, 2 (4.8%) had local recurrence only, 4 patients had distant metastasis, and 1 patient had local and distant metastasis. Among 13 patients who indicated salvage surgery (WW, n = 7; LE, n = 11), all in the WW received but all of LE refused salvage surgery (P = 0.048). The 5-year OS and 5-year RFS in overall patients was 92.7% and 76.9%, respectively, and were not different between WW and LE (P = 0.725, P = 0.129). CONCLUSION: WW and LE were comparable in terms of 5-year OS and RFS. In the LE group, salvage treatment was performed much less among indicated patients. Therefore, methods to improve the oncologic outcomes of patients indicated for salvage treatment should be considered before local excision.
Chemoradiotherapy ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Lung ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Neoplasm Metastasis ; Organ Preservation ; Phenobarbital ; Physical Examination ; Rectal Neoplasms ; Rectum ; Recurrence ; Salvage Therapy ; Sigmoidoscopy ; Treatment Outcome

Purpose: During diverting ileostomy reversal for rectal cancer patients who underwent previous sphincter-saving surgery, the extent of adhesion formation around the ileostomy site affects operative and postoperative outcomes. Anchoring sutures placed at the time of the ileostomy procedure may reduce adhesions around the ileostomy. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of anchoring sutures on the degree of adhesion formation and the postoperative course at the time of ileostomy reversal. Methods: Patients who underwent sphincter-saving surgery with diverting ileostomy for rectal cancer between January 2013 and December 2017 were enrolled. Variables including the peritoneal adhesion index (PAI) score, operation time, the length of resected small bowel, operative complications, and postoperative hospital stay were collected prospectively and compared between the anchoring group (AG) and non-anchoring group (NAG). Results: A total of 90 patients were included in this study, with 60 and 30 patients in the AG and NAG, respectively. The AG had shorter mean operation time (46.88 ± 16.37 minutes vs. 61.53 ± 19.36 minutes, P = 0.001) and lower mean PAI score (3.02 ± 2.53 vs. 5.80 ± 2.60, P = 0.001), compared with the NAG. There was no significant difference in the incidence of postoperative complications between the AG and NAG (5.0% vs. 13.3%, respectively; P = 0.240). Conclusion Anchoring sutures at the formation of a diverting ileostomy could decrease the adhesion score and operation time at ileostomy reversal, thus may be effective in improving perioperative outcomes.

Purpose: Recurrence patterns in rectal cancer patients treated with preoperative chemoradiotherapy (PCRT) are needed to evaluate for establishing tailored surveillance protocol. Methods: This study included 2,215 patients with locally-advanced mid and low rectal cancer treated with radical resection between January 2005 and December 2012. Recurrence was evaluated according to receipt of PCRT; PCRT group (n = 1,258) and no-PCRT group (n = 957). Early recurrence occurred within 1 year of surgery and late recurrence after 3 years. The median follow-up duration was 65.7 ± 29 months. Results: The overall recurrence rate was similar between the PCRT and no-PCRT group (25.8% vs. 24.9%, P = 0.622). The most common initial recurrence site was the lungs in both groups (50.6% vs. 49.6%, P = 0.864), followed by the liver, which was more common in the no-PCRT group (22.5% vs. 33.6%, P = 0.004). Most of the recurrence occurred within 3 years after surgery in both groups (85.3% vs. 85.8%, P = 0.862). Early recurrence was more common in the PCRT group than in the no-PCRT group (43.1% vs. 32.4%, P = 0.020). Recurrence within the first 6 months after surgery was significantly higher in the PCRT group than in the no-PCRT group (18.8% vs. 7.6%, P = 0.003). Lung (n = 27, 44.3%) and liver (n = 22, 36.1%) were the frequent the first relapsed site within 6 months after surgery in PCRT group. Conclusion Early recurrence within the first 1 year after surgery was more common in patients treated with PCRT. This difference would be considered for surveillance protocols and need to be evaluated in further studies.

Purpose: This study aimed to compare the short-term outcomes of the open and laparoscopic approaches to 2-stage restorative proctocolectomy (RPC) for Korean patients with ulcerative colitis (UC). Methods: We retrospectively analyzed the medical records of 73 patients with UC who underwent elective RPC between 2009 and 2016. Patient characteristics, operative details, and postoperative complications within 30 days were compared between the open and laparoscopic groups. Results: There were 26 cases (36%) in the laparoscopic group, which had a lower mean body mass index (P = 0.025), faster mean time to recovery of bowel function (P = 0.004), less intraoperative blood loss (P = 0.004), and less pain on the first and seventh postoperative days (P = 0.029 and P = 0.027, respectively) compared to open group. There were no deaths, and the overall complication rate was 43.8%. There was no between-group difference in the overall complication rate; however, postoperative ileus was more frequent in the open group (27.7% vs. 7.7%, P = 0.043). Current smoking (odds ratio [OR], 44.4; P = 0.003) and open surgery (OR, 5.4; P = 0.014) were the independent risk factors for postoperative complications after RPC. Conclusion Laparoscopic RPC was associated with acceptable morbidity and faster recovery than the open approach. The laparoscopic approach is a feasible and safe option for surgical treatment for UC in selective cases.