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Trends in emergency colorectal surgery: a 7-year retrospective single-centre cohort study

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Abstract

Background

Emergency colorectal resections carry a higher morbidity and mortality than elective surgery. The use of minimally invasive surgery has now become widespread in elective colorectal surgery, with improved patient outcomes. Laparoscopy is being increasingly used for emergency colorectal resections, but its role is still being defined. Our aim was to observe the uptake of laparoscopy for emergency colorectal surgery in our centre.

Method

A retrospective single-centre cohort study was performed using local National Emergency Laparotomy Audit data from January 2014-December 2020. All patients who had a colorectal resection were included. Trends in the number and type of resections were recorded. Primary outcome was the proportion of cases started and completed laparoscopically. Secondary outcomes included rate of conversion to open, length of stay and 30-day mortality.

Results

A total 523 colorectal resections were performed. The number of cases attempted and completed laparoscopically steadily increased over the study period (28.3% to 63.3% and 16.3% to 35.4%, respectively). The mean rate of conversion to open was 43.8%. The greatest expansion in laparoscopy was for cases of intestinal obstruction, perforation and peritonitis, and for those undergoing Hartmann’s procedure and right hemicolectomy. 30‑day mortality for cases completed laparoscopically was much lower than those converted or started with open surgery (2.1% vs 11.7% and 17.5%, respectively). Laparoscopic approach was independently associated with reduced length of stay.

Conclusion

Laparoscopy has been successfully adopted for emergency colorectal resections in our centre, with half of cases felt to be suitable for minimally invasive surgery.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. MRCS Colorectal Surgery, Portsmouth University Hospitals NHS Trust, Portsmouth, UK

    Rachel Smyth

  2. MRCS Upper GI Surgery, Portsmouth University Hospitals NHS Trust, Portsmouth, UK

    Alexander Darbyshire

  3. FRCS Upper GI Surgery, Portsmouth University Hospitals NHS Trust, Portsmouth, UK

    Stuart Mercer

  4. FRCS Colorectal Surgery, Portsmouth University Hospitals NHS Trust, Portsmouth, UK

    Jim Khan & John Richardson

Authors
  1. Rachel Smyth
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  2. Alexander Darbyshire
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  3. Stuart Mercer
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  4. Jim Khan
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Rachel Smyth.

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Disclosures

Rachel Smyth, Alexander Darbyshire, Stuart Mercer, Jim Khan and John Richardson have no conflicts of interest or financial ties to disclose.

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Smyth, R., Darbyshire, A., Mercer, S. et al. Trends in emergency colorectal surgery: a 7-year retrospective single-centre cohort study. Surg Endosc 37, 3911–3920 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00464-023-09876-0

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00464-023-09876-0

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