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Carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) is a tumor marker widely used in the management of colorectal cancer, especially in the follow-up of patients resected with curative intent. The objective of this review is to update the role of CEA in the management of patients operated on for stage I-III colon cancer considering the best available evidence. Given the modest sensitivity in the primary tumor (40%), which rises to 60-80% in cases of recurrence, early measurement of the marker (around a month) of R0 resections is proposed, since the value should be normalized, especially if it was elevated preoperatively. A sustained elevation or a rise > 10 ng/mL at early check-up is indicative of residual and/or distant disease, which implies intensive clinical follow-up. Although preoperative CEA has a strong prognostic value, elevated early postoperative CEA seems to have a higher prognostic value for recurrence. Intensive follow-up seems reasonable in patients with risk factors for recurrence, which includes serial CEA measurement. The optimal CEA threshold is controversial, with a tendency to lower the cut-off level considered normal (< 5 ng/ml) in recent years), which could improve the balance between test sensitivity and specificity. New techniques such as circulating DNA in combination with CEA have been proposed to improve the chance of diagnosing a recurrence, currently under evaluation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Unplanned reoperations (UPRO) after elective surgery was proposed by Ministry of Health (MINSAL) as a quality indicator since 2010. The goal was to promote the discussion between pairs as an effective feedback for the surgical team. Aim: The purpose of this study is to analyze the results of a protocol of UPRO in a high complexity public institution. Materials and Method: The 9.5 years data base starting in July 2010 was analyzed. All reoperations within 30 days of the initial surgery were included. The UPRO indicator was considered fulfilled if the critical discussion of the case occurred in the clinical meeting within 15 days of the reoperation and if there is a document to support it. Results: in the indicated period the rate of UPRO was 2.5% (455 of 18,536 patients) and the protocol was accomplished in 97% of the cases. The stay in hospital and mortality rate in re-operated patients were high, with great differences between the surgical teams. Conclusions: The UPRO indicator is useful as a detailed analysis of postoperative morbidity of specific surgical teams and the changes along the years. Considering the great differences between the procedures in adults and children and the huge variation and complexity of the operations of multiple surgical specialties, it seems not relevant as a global indicator of a General Hospital. The UPRO must be prospective, complete, non-discriminatory and non-punitive. Theoretically UPRO could be useful as a feedback of surgical teams. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Diverting loop ileostomy (LI) is commonly performed to protect a distal anastomosis after a low anterior resection. Aim: To investigate the frecuency and clinical features of ileostomic dysfunction (ID) and, eventually, to define a profile of patients at risk of this complicaction. Materials and Method: 103 consecutive patients operated on for rectal cancer were included. ID is defined when the maxime output was more than 1,5 lt/day for three or more consecutive days with biochemical disturbances, associated to abdominal distension and the inability to tolerate oral feeding without postoperative severe complication. Patients with ID were compared with noID group. Results: ID developed in 15 patients, lasting between 12 and 70 days (50% for more then 30 days), the readmission rate was 27% without reoperation in this group. Except for inhospital time and readmission rate, no other difference between both groups were founded. Discussion: ID is a kind of paralitic ileus of variable intensity with paradox high output ileostomy leading to depletion of water and electrolyte imbalance. ID requires reposition of high volumen of fluids and electrolytes and sometimes parenteral nutrition with full recovery in variable periods without invasive treatment. In this study it was not possible to define a patient profile at risk or predictive factores of this complication. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Total mesorectal excison and preoperative radiotherapy are important components of multimodal treatment in patients with a low locally advanced rectal cancer. Short-term results of laparoscopic surgery has proven to be safe but oncological results are unclear. Aim: To compare short-term and oncologic outcomes of laparoscopic and open resection of locally advanced rectal cancer operated on in the same period. Materials and Method: A total of 327 patientes with rectal cancer treated by open and laparoscopic curative surgery were retrospectively reviewed. Long-term follow up was compared using Kaplan-Meier curves and survival data were tested by log rank test. Results: Demographic data, levels of carcinoembryonaric antigen, perioperative morbidity and pathologic stages were similar in both groups, except for less inhospital time in laparoscopic group (p = 0.007). Over 90% of middle and low tumors recived preoperative radiotherapy. Local recurrence and overall survival shows no difference between both groups. Low and middle rectal cancer showed worst prognosis than tumors of the high rectum, no matter of type of surgery (p = 0.007). Conclusions: Laparoscopic surgery is non-inferior to open resection for pathological and oncological outcomes. It's not convenient to include on trials lesions located in the high rectum, usually treated with primary surgery as colon cancer. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]