Intraoperative Colonic Lavage Research Articles

Usefulness of the Transanal Drainage Tube with Intraoperative Colonic Lavage in the Treatment of Obstructed Left-sided Colon Cancer

Usefulness of the Transanal Drainage Tube with Intraoperative Colonic Lavage in the Treatment of Obstructed Left-sided Colon Cancer

Intraoperative colonic lavage in infants using a Replogle tube

On-table colonic lavage for preparing obstructed bowel prior to anastomosis or stoma formation is now routine in adults, but it is seldom used in paediatric practice. We describe a simple technique for intraoperative colonic lavage using inexpensive medical devices that are also readily available and disposable, a Replogle tube, a fine-bore sucker, and a 20-ml syringe. We have used this technique in infants with intestinal obstruction due to anorectal malformations, intestinal atresias, and post-NEC strictures, to good effect.

Single stage primary anastomosis without colonic lavage for left-sided colonic obstruction due to acute sigmoid volvulus: a prospective study of one hundred and ninety-seven cases.

The purpose of this study was to examine the feasibility of single-stage resection and anastomosis for acute left-sided colonic obstruction due to acute sigmoid volvulus without intraoperative lavage. Mechanical bowel preparation has been shown to be unnecessary for elective colorectal surgery. Colonic decompression without intraoperative lavage may simplify operations in acute left-sided colorectal obstruction. Emergency resection of acute sigmoid volvulus was performed. This was followed by primary anastomosis without on-table lavage after closed bowel decompression. A total of 197 patients underwent bowel decompression, resection and primary colonic anastomosis. Two patients developed anastomosis leak, requiring re-laparotomy, Hartmann's procedure and delayed closure. Two deaths occurred postoperatively; these were unrelated to the nature of the surgery. The mean hospital stay was 9.8 days. Primary colonic anastomosis can be safely done for obstructed left colon due to acute sigmoid volvulus without intraoperative colonic lavage.

Role of resection and primary anastomosis of the left colon in the presence of peritonitis.

Classically a primary colonic anastomosis is not performed in the presence of left colonic peritonitis. Recently there has been a trend towards resection and anastomosis in selected patients, but no prospective study concerning the safety of this approach has been published. The objective of this study was to define the role of intraoperative colonic lavage with resection and primary anastomosis (RPA) in left colonic peritonitis, and to evaluate the differences in outcome in patients with diffuse or localized peritonitis. Between January 1994 and December 1998, 127 patients underwent emergency operation for a distal large bowel perforation. RPA was the operation of choice and was performed in 61 patients, 38 with localized and 23 with diffuse peritonitis. Septic shock, faecal peritonitis, immunocompromised status and American society of Anesthesiologists grade IV were contraindications to the one-stage procedure. Alternative operations used in high-risk patients were Hartmann's procedure in 55 patients, subtotal colectomy in eight and colostomy in three. There were two deaths (3 per cent) among 61 patients treated by RPA and one (2 per cent) case of clinical anastomotic dehiscence. Overall morbidity was 39 per cent and the overall mean(s.d.) hospital stay was 18(15) days. No statistical differences were observed between patients with localized and diffuse peritonitis treated by RPA. RPA may be the operation of choice in selected patients with left colonic diffuse peritonitis.

Intraoperative colonic lavage in a premature infant: A case report

Left-sided colonic obstruction in the neonate traditionally is managed with a multistaged defunctioning colostomy and resection. In adults, one-stage primary anastomosis has become increasingly popular with the use of on-table antegrade colonic lavage. In infants, and especially in premature neonates, enterostomies pose significant morbidity. O'Connor and Sawin reported a 68% complication rate in 50 infants with necrotizing enterocolitis who had survived until the time of enterostomal closure. This case discusses a modified application of on-table colonic lavage in the management of an obstructing sigmoid stricture in a premature infant. J Pediatr Surg 37:1645-1647. Copyright 2002, Elsevier Science (USA). All rights reserved.

Emergency operations for nondiverticular perforation of the left colon

Objective: Although diverticulitis is the most common cause of large bowel perforation, other disease may result in left colonic peritonitis. The aim of this study was to evaluate and compare the incidence, management, and outcome of patients with different causes of nondiverticular left colonic perforations. Patients and methods: From January 1992 to September 2000, 212 surgical patients underwent emergency operation for distal colonic peritonitis. Perforations were caused by diverticulitis in 133 patients (63%) and by a nondiverticular process in 79 (37%). Mortality and morbidity in patients with nondiverticular perforation of the distal large bowel its relationship with the general conditions, the grade and the cause of peritonitis were analysed. Four types of surgical procedures were used. Hartmann’s procedure was performed in 40 patients (51%); intraoperative colonic lavage, resection, and primary anastomosis (ICL) in 27 patients (34%); colostomy in 7 (9%); and subtotal colectomy in 5 (6%). Results: Perforated neoplasm, the most common cause of peritonitis, was observed in 30 patients, colonic ischemia in 20, iatrogenia in 13, and other causes in 16 patients. One or more complications were observed in 57 patients (72%); among causes of perforation, colonic ischemia was significantly associated with the longest hospital stay and highest mortality. Eighteen patients (23%) died. Conclusions: Left large bowel perforation by nondiverticular disease is associated with high mortality and morbidity. The prognosis of patients is determined by the development of septic shock and colonic ischemia, as underlying disease, may influence patient survival.

Preoperative bowel cleansing

Abstract Preoperative mechanical cleansing was initially proposed in the early 1950s. The mechanical bowel preparation has been regarded as essential in preventing postoperative complications in colorectal surgery. Nowadays, this concept is changing. Many trials, clinical and experimental, are showing there is no difference in the results between groups submitted to mechanical bowel preparation and those without preparation. The aim of this report is to describe the principal methods of mechanical bowel preparation, ie, conventional bowel preparation, elemental diets, whole bowel irrigation, oral mannitol bowel preparation, polyethylene glycol–based solution, sodium phosphate–based oral solution, intraoperative colonic lavage, and to present an overlook of the microbiology of the colon and the use of antimicrobial prophylaxis in elective and emergency colorectal surgery as well as in experimental studies. The necessity of preoperative bowel preparation before elective colorectal surgery is discussed. Copyright © 2002 by W.B. Saunders Company

One-stage procedure in non-elective surgery for diverticular disease complications.

Admission of patients with acute complications of diverticular disease is frequent and operative management remains controversial. The aim of this study was to investigate the efficacy and safety of resection, intra-operative colonic lavage and primary anastomosis in patients who require urgent laparotomy to treat complications of diverticular disease. From January 1992 to December 1999, 124 surgical patients underwent emergency operation for complicated diverticular disease. Resection, intra-operative colonic lavage and primary anastomosis were carried out in 55 patients: four with obstruction, two with massive bleeding and 49 with diverticulitis. In the diverticulitis group, 33 (67.3%) patients presented with localized peritonitis and 16 (32.7%) with generalized purulent peritonitis. No patient with faecal peritonitis was treated by a one-stage procedure. One or more complications were detected in 25 patients (45.4%). Four patients (7.2%) required reintervention. Mortality occurred in four patients (7.2%). Two patients (3.6%) presented with anastomotic leakage. Wound infection was detected in 16 cases (29%). The overall mean (s.d.) Hospital stay was 18.5 (12.1) days. Resection, intra-operative colonic lavage and primary anastomosis provide an alternative procedure for achieving one-stage resection in selected patients who require emergency operation for complication of diverticular disease.

Prognostic factors for mortality in left colonic peritonitis: a new scoring system

Background: Perforating lesions of the colon affect a heterogeneous group of patients, often elderly, and usually present as abdominal emergencies, with high morbidity and mortality. The aims of this study were to assess the prognostic value of specific factors in patients with left colonic peritonitis and to evaluate the utility of a scoring method that allows one to define groups of patients with different mortality risks. Study Design: Between January 1994 and December 1999, 156 patients (77 men and 79 women), with a mean (SD) age of 63.2 years (15.5 years) (range 22 to 87 years), underwent emergency operation for a distal colonic perforation. Intraoperative colonic lavage was the first choice operation and it was performed in 74 patients (47.4%). There were three alternative procedures: the Hartmann operation was performed in 69 patients (44.2%), subtotal colectomy in 9, and colostomy in 4 patients. We analyzed specific variables for their possible relation to death including gender, age, American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) score, immunocompromised status, etiology, and degree of peritonitis, preoperative organ failure, time (hours) between hospital admission and surgical intervention, and degree of temperature elevation (38°C). Univariate relations between predictors and outcomes (death) were analyzed using logistic regression. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was used to assess the prognostic value of combinations of the variables. Significant factors identified in univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses were used to define a left colonic Peritonitis Severity Score (PSS). Factors that were significant only in univariate analysis scored 2 points if present and 1 if not. Variables significant in multivariate analysis were scored from 1 to 3 points. Patients were randomly split into two groups, one to calculate the scoring system and the other to validate it. Results: Overall postoperative mortality rate was 22.4%. Septic-related mortality was observed in 24 patients (15.4%). Age, peritonitis grade, ASA score, immunocompromised status, and ischemic colitis were significant for postoperative death in univariate analysis. But only ASA score and preoperative organ failure were significantly associated with postoperative mortality in multivariate logistic regression analysis. The PSS, as defined in this study, was related to outcomes of patients. Mortality rate increased from 0%, when PSS was 6 points (minimum possible score), to 100% in patients with a PSS of 13 (maximum possible PSS = 14). Conclusions: Left colonic peritonitis continues to have a persistently high mortality in patients with septic complications. ASA score and preoperative organ failure are the only factors that are significantly associated with mortality in the multivariate analysis. The PSS classification may help uniformly define the mortality risk of patients with distal large bowel peritonitis, and may help to increase the comparability of studies carried out at different centers.

Prospective study of primary anastomosis without colonic lavage for patients with an obstructed left colon.

Traditionally, left-sided colon obstruction is managed by a multistaged defunctioning colostomy and resection. However, there is growing acceptance of one-stage primary resection and anastomosis with on-table antegrade irrigation. This paper presents a series of patients managed prospectively by primary anastomosis without intraoperative colonic lavage. Emergency resection of acutely obstructed left-sided colonic carcinomas was performed. This was followed by primary anastomosis without on-table lavage after bowel decompression using a new technique. Fifty-eight consecutive, unselected patients underwent bowel decompression, resection and primary colocolic anastomosis. Only one patient developed a leak at the anastomotic site, requiring pelvic abscess drainage and transverse loop colostomy. One death occurred 12 h following surgery. Autopsy confirmed that this was due to myocardial infarction. Mean hospital stay was 9.8 days. Emergency surgery on the obstructed left colon can be carried out safely after decompression alone, without intraoperative colonic lavage.

Intraoperative colonic lavage in emergency surgical treatment of left-sided colonic obstruction.

The study contained herein was undertaken to verify if immediate resection with anastomosis with on-site lavage in emergency treatment of left colon obstruction is a safe alternative to the multistage procedure, to look for solutions to practical problems outlined by previous authors, and to check the hospital stay. Between 1991 and 1995, all patients (61) admitted with left colon obstruction were treated with intraoperative colonic lavage and primary anastomosis. Personal development of Dudley's technique is reported. Complications and mortality are pointed out. Later, endoscopy was performed to check the status of all survivors. Low mortality (2 percent) and major complication rates (3 percent) and short hospital stay (11 days, except for patients with major complications) are reported in our series. One-stage surgery with intraoperative lavage is a safe procedure. Patients have a better quality of life (no stoma occurred) with an effective cost-savings.

Intraoperative colonic lavage in nonelective surgery for diverticular disease.

Staged resection of the sigmoid colon has been the traditional strategy for treating patients who require nonelective surgery to manage complications of diverticular disease. Resection and primary anastomosis has not generally been recommended when the clinical setting is compromised by contiguous inflammation or inadequate mechanical cleansing of the colon because of concerns regarding the potential risk of anastomotic dehiscence. Although many reports have confirmed that intraoperative colonic lavage (ICL) is a safe method for relieving fecal loading of the colon to facilitate primary intestinal anastomosis in patients with mechanical obstruction of the distal colon, there is very limited experience with the use of this technique in treating acute inflammatory disorders of the colon. In this report, we present our results with ICL in the nonelective treatment of patients with complications of diverticulitis. Records of all patients undergoing urgent operations at the Lahey Clinic to treat complications of diverticular disease from July 1987 to January 1996 were reviewed. Of 62 patients who required nonelective operations, 33 underwent ICL in an attempt to perform primary anastomosis. In five patients, the operation included creation of a colostomy. The indication for surgery was obstruction in 13 patients (39 percent), persistent abscess or phlegmon in 13 (39 percent), perforation in 6 patients (18 percent), and hemorrhage in 1 patient (3 percent). According to Hinchey's classification system, 18 patients had Stage I disease, 10 had Stage II, and 5 patients had Stage III disease. There were no patients with Stage IV disease. The single anastomotic complication in the series was responsible for the sole operative mortality. The morbidity rate of 42 percent, included three intraoperative complications (2 splenic injuries and 1 ureteral laceration), two intra-abdominal abscesses (6 percent), and six wound infections (18 percent). In our experience, ICL has proven to be a safe method for accomplishing single-stage resection of the colon in selected patients with diverticulitis who require an urgent operation. When there is no evidence of diffuse purulent or feculent peritonitis, we believe this is the preferred method for treating patients who are hemodynamically stable.

Intraoperative colonic lavage and primary anastomosis in peritonitis and obstruction

The surgical management of left colonic emergencies has evolved in the past few decades. Recently, there has been increasing interest in resection with primary anastomosis in selected cases. The aim of this study was to evaluate the differences in outcome in patients with peritonitis or obstruction treated by resection, on-table lavage and primary anastomosis of the left colon. Between January 1992 and August 1995, 212 patients underwent emergency operation for a distal colonic lesion: 97 presented with peritonitis, 113 with obstruction and two with other indications. Intraoperative colonic lavage was performed in 37 patients with obstruction and in 24 with an acute intra-abdominal inflammatory process. The postoperative mortality rate was 5 per cent. The incidence of clinical anastomotic leakage was 5 per cent. Wound infection was observed in ten patients (16 per cent), more often in those with peritonitis (P = 0.03). The overall mean(s.d.) hospital stay was 15(9) days. Resection, on-table lavage and primary anastomosis constitute the operation of choice for selected patients with left colonic emergency.

Intraoperative colonic lavage and primary anastomosis in peritonitis and obstruction

Intraoperative colonic lavage and primary anastomosis in peritonitis and obstruction

Official Journal of the American Society of Colon and Rectal Surgeons International Society of University Colon and Rectal Surgeons

In selected individuals requiring emergency colon resection, intraoperative colonic lavage with primary anastomosis represents a safe alternative to staged reconstruction. This procedure achieves excellent mechanical preparation of the colon, facilitates safe anastomosis, and avoids the disadvantages associated with multistaged operations. At our institution, 25 patients requiring urgent segmental resection of the left colon have undergone intraoperative colonic lavage. Primary anastomosis without fecal diversion has been performed in 21 of these patients. Obstruction of the large intestine was the indication for operation in 56 percent of the patients in this series. Ten patients (40 percent) required laparotomy for an acute intra-abdominal inflammatory process. No post-operative deaths have occurred in our series, and no patient has sustained clinically evident anastomotic leakage. A pelvic abscess developed in one patient after sigmoid colectomy for diverticulitis. Three patients required treatment for wound infection. Based on our results, we recommend resection with intraoperative colonic lavage and primary anastomosis as the preferred treatment for the majority of patients requiring nonelective segmental left colon resection.

INTRA-OPERATIVE COLONIC LAVAGE: SAFE SINGLE-STAGE, LEFT COLORECTAL RESECTIONS

Fifty consecutive left-sided colorectal cases are described in which intra-operative colonic lavage (IOCL) was used. Sixteen were acute or sub-acute cases, including five with total colonic obstruction. The anastomoses were usually hand-sutured and no colostomies were used: all procedures were single stage. Only one case was considered to have possibly had an anastomotic leak (2.0%) and the average hospital stay was 16 days. There were 3 wound infections (6%). Peri-operative mortality was 6% and no deaths occurred in the acute or sub-acute- cases. The procedure allows safe one-stage operation in most acute left-sided colonic lesions and provides the most thorough colonic preparation for elective cases, thus obviating the need for colostomy in cases where the colon is found to be inadequately prepared, or in very low anastomoses. The technique described for IOCL is readily reproduced, attendant with negligible risk of complications and takes relatively little extra operating time. Defunctioning colostomy is unlikely to be necessary with this method, thereby saving patients considerable discomfort and nuisance, time in hospital and the potential morbidity of further operation. Specific recommendations for use of IOCL are: acute or sub-acute left colonic obstruction: stenosing or volvulus; massive colonic haemorrhage: for diagnostic and preparatory use; rectal and left colonic trauma; left colonic surgery where inadequate pre-operative bowel preparation has occurred; ‘low’ elective restorative rectal resection; and preparation for colonic replacement of oesophagus.

Peroperative lavage of the obstructed left colon to allow safe primary anastomosis.

A series of 44 patients with complete or partial left-colon obstruction underwent laparotomy and intraoperative colonic lavage. Irrigation was unsuccessful in three, the operation being concluded by a Hartmann resection. In the remaining 41, the achievement of an empty colon allowed primary anastomosis after resection of the obstructing lesion. Seven patients (17.1 percent) died, none of dehiscence of the colorectal anastomosis, although minor anastomotic leaks occurred in four. The median postoperative hospital stay was 12 days. Two patients developed peritonitis (one fatal) from leakage of ileal contents when the irrigating catheter was introduced through an ileotomy and retained postoperatively, and this aspect of the technique is not recommended. The operation offers a single-stage alternative for patients with unprepared or ill-prepared bowels who require resection of left-colon lesions. The results compare favorably with the authors' previous experience of two- or three-stage resections (in-hospital mortality rate, 42 percent).

Massive diverticular hemorrhage: New technic for localization of the bleeding site

A new technic, intraoperative colonic lavage, by which the site of bleeding in diverticular hemorrhage may be identified is described. As a result of this technic, limited rather than extensive colectomy may be performed. The management of this situation is discussed and an illustrative case reviewed.