BACKGROUND

The Division of Colorectal Surgery at the Philippine General Hospital (PGH) conducts hundreds of surgeries annually for benign and malignant colorectal conditions. Since 2019, the Division has implemented an Enhanced Recovery After Surgery (ERAS) program to improve patient outcomes. However, its impact on hospital costs—critical for a government hospital—has not yet been studied.

This study aimed to evaluate the effect of ERAS on healthcare costs for elective colorectal surgeries performed at PGH in 2021.

A retrospective observational study was conducted on adult patients who underwent elective colorectal surgeries under the ERAS protocol in 2021. Medical and billing records were retrieved using the hospital’s electronic medical records (EMR) system, excluding cases with incomplete data. Procedures were categorized by type [stoma closure, colonic or rectal resection, reversal of Hartmann’s, or cytoreductive surgery with hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy (CRS-HIPEC)] and surgical approach (open, laparoscopic, or robotic). Costs were classified into diagnostics, facility fees, medications, surgery, and hospital supplies. ERAS compliance rates were extracted from the online ERAS Interactive Audit System (EIAS), and linear regression analysis was performed.

Among 114 elective colorectal surgeries, records for 90 cases were analyzed. Surgery-related expenses accounted for the highest mean hospital costs across all procedure types. An inverse correlation between ERAS compliance and total cost was observed for open surgeries, with statistically significant reductions in stoma closures and open colon resections (p-value: 0.0213 and 0.0134, respectively). However, minimally invasive surgeries (MIS) did not demonstrate cost reductions with increasing ERAS compliance, likely due to additional expenses associated with advanced equipment. Linear regression indicated that higher compliance rates generally led to decreased hospital costs.

Standardized care through ERAS has been associated with cost savings compared to traditional perioperative management. This study supports the conclusion that higher ERAS compliance can reduce hospital costs in open colorectal surgeries. However, the higher costs of MIS procedures, driven by equipmentrelated expenses, may offset potential savings from ERAS adherence. Further research is warranted to explore the cost implications of ERAS in MIS cases.

BACKGROUND

The Division of Colorectal Surgery at the Philippine General Hospital (PGH) conducts hundreds of surgeries annually for benign and malignant colorectal conditions. Since 2019, the Division has implemented an Enhanced Recovery After Surgery (ERAS) program to improve patient outcomes. However, its impact on hospital costs—critical for a government hospital—has not yet been studied.

This study aimed to evaluate the effect of ERAS on healthcare costs for elective colorectal surgeries performed at PGH in 2021.

A retrospective observational study was conducted on adult patients who underwent elective colorectal surgeries under the ERAS protocol in 2021. Medical and billing records were retrieved using the hospital’s electronic medical records (EMR) system, excluding cases with incomplete data. Procedures were categorized by type [stoma closure, colonic or rectal resection, reversal of Hartmann’s, or cytoreductive surgery with hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy (CRS-HIPEC)] and surgical approach (open, laparoscopic, or robotic). Costs were classified into diagnostics, facility fees, medications, surgery, and hospital supplies. ERAS compliance rates were extracted from the online ERAS Interactive Audit System (EIAS), and linear regression analysis was performed.

Among 114 elective colorectal surgeries, records for 90 cases were analyzed. Surgery-related expenses accounted for the highest mean hospital costs across all procedure types. An inverse correlation between ERAS compliance and total cost was observed for open surgeries, with statistically significant reductions in stoma closures and open colon resections (p-value: 0.0213 and 0.0134, respectively). However, minimally invasive surgeries (MIS) did not demonstrate cost reductions with increasing ERAS compliance, likely due to additional expenses associated with advanced equipment. Linear regression indicated that higher compliance rates generally led to decreased hospital costs.

Standardized care through ERAS has been associated with cost savings compared to traditional perioperative management. This study supports the conclusion that higher ERAS compliance can reduce hospital costs in open colorectal surgeries. However, the higher costs of MIS procedures, driven by equipmentrelated expenses, may offset potential savings from ERAS adherence. Further research is warranted to explore the cost implications of ERAS in MIS cases.

The clinical burden of colorectal cancer (CRC) is high. Population-based screening and early detection are essential to improve the long-term clinical outcome. Nonetheless, a significant proportion of patients still present at an advanced stage, including with acute large bowel obstruction. Image-enhanced endoscopy and artificial intelligence can improve the detection and diagnosis of colonic adenomas and early cancer. Endoscopic resection is regarded as the preferred curative treatment option for colonic adenoma and T0 and T1 CRC limited to the superficial submucosa. Emergency colonic stenting as bridge to interval curative surgery is increasingly accepted as a first-line option when technically feasible. Minimally invasive resection techniques such as laparoscopic colectomy and robot-assisted colorectal surgery have also come of age. These techniques reduce post-treatment morbidity, shorten the recovery process and can be cost-effective while maintaining long-term oncological cure. These outcome measures are relevant to our patients; therefore, minimally invasive approaches to curative resection should be embraced.
Humans ; Colorectal Neoplasms/surgery* ; Minimally Invasive Surgical Procedures/methods* ; Laparoscopy/methods* ; Colectomy/methods* ; Robotic Surgical Procedures/methods* ; Treatment Outcome ; Colonoscopy/methods*

Permanent stoma is an important method often selected in the surgical treatment of colorectal cancer, mainly including but not limited to the sigmoid colon single-lumen stoma after abdominoperineal resection. Since the stoma needs to be retained permanently, preoperative intervention for the stoma, the stoma surgical procedure, prevention and treatment of complications, and long-term postoperative follow-up are all closely related to the patient's quality of life. Under the guidance of the Colorectal Surgery Group of the Society of Surgery, Chinese Medical Association, the Colorectal Tumor Professional Committee of the Chinese Medical Doctor Association, and the Anorectal Physicians Branch of the Chinese Medical Doctor Association, led by the Stoma Study Group of the Anorectal Physicians Branch of the Chinese Medical Doctor Association and with the academic support of Chinese Journal of Gastrointestinal Surgery, experts in related fields were gathered. By drawing on the latest domestic and international guidelines and relevant literature, combining clinical practice and expert opinions, and through repeated discussions and revisions, 24 recommendations were put forward for preoperative evaluation and preparation, surgical technical operation specifications, postoperative management, complication prevention and treatment, and long-term follow-up. The aim is to provide guidance for the clinical practice of permanent stoma in colorectal cancer surgery in China.
Humans ; Colorectal Neoplasms/surgery* ; Consensus ; Ostomy/methods* ; Quality of Life ; Surgical Stomas ; China ; Colostomy

Nowadays, robotic surgery is an important trend in the surgical treatment for colorectal cancer. Based on the previous version, the Robotic Surgery Group, Colorectal Cancer Committee of Chinese Medical Doctor Association convened the national experts to discuss and reach a consensus on the application standards for robotic colorectal cancer surgery, hoping to promote the application and promotion of robotic surgery.
Humans ; Robotic Surgical Procedures/methods* ; Colorectal Neoplasms/surgery* ; Consensus

Background and Objective: One of the uses of indocyanine green (ICG) in the surgical field is the evaluation of the anastomotic margins in colorectal surgery. This is of particular importance because fluorescence imaging may aid in detecting vascular compromise, allowing the surgeon to change the resection margin thereby decreasing the chance of an anastomotic leak. To date, there has been no study with its use locally. This study aimed to determine whether the use of ICG can safely identify if the margins of resection are well-vascularized in patients undergoing left-sided colon or rectal surgery, which in turn may reduce anastomotic leak rates. Methods: Through a retrospective study design, the investigators gathered data of patients who underwent left-sided colon or rectal surgery. The groups were divided into those with and without the use of ICG and a comparative data on the anastomotic leak rates were analyzed. Results: Eighty-six (86) patients with similar patient characteristics, tumor staging, and surgical approach were compared. Both the leak rates identified during the initial hospital stay and at 30 days post-operatively were lower in those where ICG was used (p=0.035, p=0.047, respectively) than those where ICG was not used. Conclusion ICG fluorescence imaging may reduce the anastomotic leak rates in patients undergoing colorectal surgery.
indocyanine green ; colon ; rectum ; colorectal surgery ; anastomosis, surgical ; anastomotic leak

Obstructive colorectal cancer is a common malignant bowel obstruction. Colostomy or colostomy following tumor resection may be the first choice for emergency surgery. The intestinal and systemic conditions of patients undergoing emergency surgery are often poor, and patients need to undergo multiple operations, which increase the surgical risk and economic burden and reduce the quality of life of patients. Poor intraoperative visualization may also affect the radical operation of emergency surgery. Transanal decompression tube (TDT) can rapidly decompress and drain the obstructed bowel, effectively relieve obstruction symptoms, and improve the success rate of primary radical resection. The TDT squeeze the tumor lightly, causing no spread of tumor cells, and is cheap, but the cavity of transanal decompression tube is small and easily blocked, and requires tedious flushing or regular replacement. Self-expanding metallic stents (SEMS) can relieve intestinal obstruction effectively, provide sufficient preparation time for preoperative examination and improvement of nutritional status. By improving patient's tolerance to radical surgery, SEMS might be used as an important treatment strategy choice for obstructive colorectal cancer. However, SEMS may squeeze the tumor, leading to the spread of tumor cells, increase the recurrence rate and metastasis rate, and reduce the survival rate. Moreover, intestinal wall edema still existed during the operation following SEMS, and the rate of ostomy after anastomosis was as high as 34%. We hypothesized that prolonging the interval between stent insertion and surgery to 2 months, with neoadjuvant chemotherapy administered during this interval (SEMS-neoadjuvant chemotherapy strategy), would help improve outcomes. The SEMS-neoadjuvant chemotherapy strategy is a safe, effective, and well tolerated treatment approach with a high laparoscopic resection rate, low stoma formation rate and improvement in the overall survival for patients with left-sided colon cancer obstruction. The patient physical status is improved, the primary tumor is downstaged, and intestinal wall edema is relieved during the relatively longer interval between SEMS placement and surgery. The SEMS-neoadjuvant chemotherapy strategy may be a preferred therapeutic strategy for obstructive left colon cancer.
Humans ; Quality of Life ; Self Expandable Metallic Stents/adverse effects* ; Colonic Neoplasms/surgery* ; Stents/adverse effects* ; Intestinal Obstruction/surgery* ; Treatment Outcome ; Colorectal Neoplasms/complications* ; Retrospective Studies

Anatomy is the foundation of surgery. However, traditional anatomical concepts based on autopsy are no longer sufficient to guide the development of modern surgery. With the advancement of histology and embryology and application of high-resolution laparoscopic technology, surgical anatomy has gradually developed. Meanwhile, some important concepts and terms used to guide surgery have emerged, including: mesentery, fascia, and space. The confusing, controversial, and even inaccurate definitions and anatomical terms related to colorectal surgery seriously affect academic communication and the training of young surgeons. Therefore, the Chinese Society of Colorectal Surgeons, the Chinese Society of Colorectal Surgery, National Health Commission Capacity Building and Continuing Education Center, and China Sexology Association of Colorectal Functional Surgery organized colorectal surgeons to make consensus on the definition and terminology of mesentery, fascia, and space related to colon and rectum, to promote surgeons' understanding of modern anatomy related to colorectal surgery and promote academic communication.
Humans ; Rectum/surgery* ; Consensus ; Mesentery/anatomy & histology* ; Fascia/anatomy & histology* ; Colorectal Neoplasms

OBJECTIVE: Surgical site infection (SSI) is one of the most common healthcare-associated infections. This study aimed to determine SSI rate and the associated factors among colorectal surgery patients. METHODS: This included adult patients who underwent surgery under the Division of Colorectal Surgery from January to May 2018. Clinico-demographic, operative, and SSI outcome data were reviewed. Occurrence of SSI during admission until discharge, and up to 30 days after the surgery was analyzed. RESULTS: A total of 172 surgeries were performed. Majority were elective procedures (68.0%), and performed via open approach (67.4%). Most were malignant cases (62.6%). Sixty-three colorectal resections were done (41 colon and 22 rectal). SSI rate prior to discharge was 6.4%, and 15.7% at 30 days. Among colorectal resections, 18 (28.6%) patients had SSI at 30 days. SSI rates were significantly higher among patients who were ASA 2 or 3; received chemotherapy 12 weeks prior to surgery; had malignant pathology; underwent emergency surgery; received perioperative transfusion; had stapled skin closure; had low anterior resection for rectal cancer; and had multivisceral resection. CONCLUSION The Division of Colorectal Surgery at the Philippine General Hospital had a higher SSI rate as compared to literature. Although this could be partly explained by the differences in patient and surgeon population, improving on SSI rates will be the unit's goal. Continued SSI surveillance with more patient accrual may provide better insight to the associated risk factors.
Surgical site infection ; colorectal surgery ; risk factors

Humans ; Intestinal Polyps ; Colonic Polyps/surgery* ; Intestinal Polyposis ; Colorectal Neoplasms