BACKGROUND: Colorectal cancer (CRC) is a leading cause of death in rural America. Rural populations are large and heterogeneous, yet patient-related drivers of inequities in CRC access are understudied. This study aimed to identify vulnerable rural populations at lower odds of undergoing elective CRC surgery.
METHODS: Evaluation of the Policy Map and United States Census Bureau identified factors associated with poor surgical access in the most populous states (by total rural population). To assess whether these identified factors were associated with reduced access to elective CRC surgery, the 2007 to 2020 National Inpatient Sample was used to evaluate 69,212 hospitalizations of rural patients undergoing CRC surgery. Rural was defined as counties with a population of <250,000. Multivariable logistic regression models assessed predictors of elective CRC surgery. Patient- and hospital-level factor interactions were specified a priori.
RESULTS: More than 72% of hospitalizations of rural patients were elective. Multivariate regression analysis demonstrated that older age, multimorbidity, Black race, Latino-Hispanic ethnicity, Medicaid insurance, and rural hospitals predicted lower odds of elective CRC surgery. On interaction analyses, high-risk patients were less likely to undergo elective CRC surgery in urban facilities relative to rural.
CONCLUSIONS: In this large study of rural dwellers, ethnoracial minorities, elders, and Medicaid beneficiaries had profoundly less access to elective CRC surgery, especially when care was received in urban settings. Future studies should focus on exploring actionable social drivers of health in these rural populations. Findings underscore the need for multilevel interventions to enhance rural access to equitable and quality surgical cancer care.

UNASSIGNED: To assess the impact of perioperative prognostic nutritional index (PNI) changes on prognosis and recurrence after colorectal cancer surgery.
UNASSIGNED: A total of 475 patients who underwent curative resection for primary colorectal adenocarcinoma and were diagnosed with pathological stage (pStage) II/III were retrospectively reviewed. The patients were divided into two groups: the high group (preoperative PNI ≤ postoperative PNI, n = 290) and the low group (preoperative PNI > postoperative PNI, n = 185).
UNASSIGNED: The low group exhibited significantly higher recurrence and mortality rates (all p < 0.001). Kaplan-Meier analysis showed worse overall and recurrence-free survival in the low group (all p < 0.001). Perioperative PNI changes predicted prognosis and recurrence independent of preoperative nutritional conditions. Subgroup analyses showed better overall survival and recurrence-free survival in the high group across various parameters, such as patient background, surgical outcomes, adjuvant chemotherapy, and pathological characteristics. Multivariate analysis revealed that the low group based on perioperative PNI changes (hazard ratio [HR]: 5.809, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 3.451-9.779, p < 0.001), pathological T stage (HR: 1.962, 95% CI: 1.184-3.253, p = 0.009), and pathological N stage (HR: 3.434, 95% CI: 1.964-6.004, p < 0.001) were identified as independent predictors of worse overall survival.
UNASSIGNED: Patients with pStage II/III colorectal cancer who demonstrate a lower postoperative PNI levels compared to preoperative had poorer overall survival and recurrence-free survival. Perioperative PNI changes can serve as useful biomarkers for predicting survival and recurrence.

Intestinal malrotation is an infrequent congenital anomaly. Its presentation in adults is rare, and it is usually discovered incidentally. This article presents an extremely rare case of an adult patient presenting with obstructing colon cancer associated with intestinal malrotation. This is the ninth case to be published in the past 40 years. After proper resuscitation and imaging, an open resection was performed for the patient due to unresolving obstruction and significant abdominal distention. This case highlights the rarity of colon cancer in a malrotated gut and the importance of preoperative evaluation of the unique anatomy before surgical intervention. It also discusses the possible surgical options for such patients with obstruction due to colon cancer causing suboptimal circumstances for both minimally invasive intervention and reestablishment of bowel continuity.

BACKGROUND: Enrollment of Medicare beneficiaries in medicare advantage (MA) plans has been steadily increasing. Prior research has shown differences in healthcare access and outcomes based on Medicare enrollment status. This study sought to compare utilization of minimally invasive colorectal cancer (CRC) surgery and postoperative outcomes between MA and Fee-for-Service (FFS) beneficiaries.
METHODS: A retrospective cohort study of beneficiaries  ≥ 65.5 years of age enrolled in FFS and MA plans was performed of patients undergoing a CRC resection from 2016 to 2019. The primary outcome was operative approach, defined as minimally invasive (laparoscopic) or open. Secondary outcomes included robotic assistance, hospital length-of-stay, mortality, discharge disposition, and hospital readmission. Using balancing weights, we performed a tapered analysis to examine outcomes with adjustment for potential confounders.
RESULTS: MA beneficiaries were less likely to have lymph node (12.9 vs 14.4%, p < 0.001) or distant metastases (15.5% vs 17.0%, p < 0.001), and less likely to receive chemotherapy (6.2% vs 6.7%, p < 0.001), compared to FFS beneficiaries. MA beneficiaries had a higher risk-adjusted likelihood of undergoing laparoscopic CRC resection (OR 1.12 (1.10-1.15), p < 0.001), and similar rates of robotic assistance (OR 1.00 (0.97-1.03), p = 0.912), compared to FFS beneficiaries. There were no differences in risk-adjusted length-of-stay (β coefficient 0.03 (- 0.05-0.10), p = 0.461) or mortality at 30-60-and 90-days (OR 0.99 (0.95-1.04), p = 0.787; OR 1.00 (0.96-1.04), p = 0.815; OR 0.98 (0.95-1.02), p = 0.380). MA beneficiaries had a lower likelihood of non-routine disposition (OR 0.77 (0.75-0.78), p < 0.001) and readmission at 30-60-and 90-days (OR 0.76 (0.73-0.80), p < 0.001; OR 0.78 (0.75-0.81), p < 0.001; OR 0.79 (0.76-0.81), p < 0.001).
CONCLUSIONS: MA beneficiaries had less advanced disease at the time of CRC resection and a greater likelihood of undergoing a laparoscopic procedure. MA enrollment is associated with improved health outcomes for elderly beneficiaries undergoing operative treatment for CRC.

OBJECTIVE: Minimally invasive surgery for gastrointestinal cancers is rapidly advancing; therefore, surgical education must be changed. This study aimed to examine the feasibility of early initiation of robotic surgery education for surgical residents.
METHODS: The ability of staff physicians and residents to handle robotic surgical instruments was assessed using the da Vinci® skills simulator (DVSS). The short-term outcomes of 32 patients with colon cancer who underwent robot-assisted colectomy (RAC) by staff physicians and residents, supervised by a dual console system, between August 2022 and March 2024 were compared.
RESULTS: The performances of four basic exercises were assessed after implementation of the DVSS. Residents required less time to complete these exercises and achieved a higher overall score than staff physicians. There were no significant differences in the short-term outcomes, operative time, blood loss, incidence of postoperative complications, and length of the postoperative hospital stay of the two surgeon groups.
CONCLUSIONS: Based on the evaluation involving the DVSS and RAC results, it appears feasible to begin robotic surgery training at an early stage of surgical education using a dual console system.

Frailty has been linked to unfavorable postoperative outcomes in patients with colorectal cancer (CRC). However, the prevalence of frailty among CRC surgery patients and its association with mortality and postoperative complications, as evaluated by the modified frailty index (mFI), have not been thoroughly investigated and necessitate clarification. PubMed, Web of Science, Embase, and CBM databases were systematically searched for relevant studies (up to January 2024), and the pooled prevalence and odds ratio (OR) estimate were calculated. A total of 16 studies containing 245 747 patients undergoing CRC surgery were included. The prevalence of frailty among CRC surgery patients was 31% (95% confidence interval [CI] = 20%-42%; I2 = 100%, p < 0.001). In patients undergoing CRC surgery, frailty was associated with a higher incidence of postoperative complications (OR = 1.94; 95% CI = 1.47-2.56; I2 = 91.9%, p < 0.001), but it did not exhibit any significant correlation with the 30-day mortality (OR = 5.17; 95% CI = 0.39-68.64; I2 = 94.4%, p < 0.001). Frailty is common in CRC surgery and exerts a significant negative impact on the postoperative outcomes. Future research could explore the potential of the mFI to facilitate a more streamlined and precise quantification of frailty, thereby establishing a refined understanding of its correlation with surgery prognosis.

BACKGROUND: Accurate preoperative risk assessment for major colorectal cancer (CRC) surgery remains challenging. Body composition (BC) and cardiopulmonary exercise testing (CPET) can be used to evaluate risk. The relationship between BC and CPET in patients undergoing curative CRC surgery is unclear.
METHODS: Consecutive patients undergoing CPET prior to CRC surgery between 2010 and 2020 were identified between two different UK hospitals. Body composition phenotypes such as sarcopenia, myosteatosis, and visceral obesity were defined using widely accepted thresholds using preoperative single axial slice CT image at L3 vertebrae. Relationships between clinicopathological, BC, and CPET variables were investigated using linear regression analysis.
RESULTS: Two hundred eighteen patients with stage I-III CRC were included. The prevalence of sarcopenia, myosteatosis, and visceral obesity was 62%, 33%, and 64%, respectively. The median oxygen uptake at anaerobic threshold (VO2 at AT) was 12.2 mL/kg/min (IQR 10.6-14.2), and oxygen uptake at peak exercise (VO2 peak) was 18.8 mL/kg/min (IQR 15.4-23). On univariate linear regression analysis, male sex (P < 0.001) was positively associated with VO2 at AT. While ASA grade (P < 0.001) and BMI (P = 0.007) were negatively associated with VO2 at AT, on multivariate linear regression analysis, these variables remained significant (P < 0.05). On univariate linear regression analysis, male sex (P < 0.001) was positively associated with VO2 peak, whereas age (P < 0.001), ASA grade (P < 0.001), BMI (P = 0.003), sarcopenia (P = 0.015), and myosteatosis (P < 0.001) were negatively associated with VO2 peak. On multivariate linear regression analysis age (P < 0.001), ASA grade (P < 0.001), BMI (P < 0.001), and sarcopenia (P = 0.006) were independently and negatively associated with VO2 peak.
CONCLUSIONS: The novel finding that sarcopenia is independently associated with reduced VO2 peak performance in CPET supports the supposition that reduced muscle mass relates to poor physical function in CRC patients. Further work should be undertaken to assess whether sarcopenia diagnosed on CT can act as suitable surrogate for CPET to further enhance personalized risk stratification.

OBJECTIVE: Higher levels of carbon dioxide (CO2) increase the invasive abilities of colon cancer cells in vitro. Studies assessing target values for end-tidal CO2 concentrations (EtCO2) to improve surgical outcome after colorectal cancer surgery are lacking. Therefore, we evaluated whether intraoperative EtCO2 was associated with differences in recurrence-free survival after elective colorectal cancer (CRC) surgery.
METHODS: Single center, retrospective analysis.
METHODS: Anesthesia records, surgical databases and hospital information system of a tertiary university hospital.
METHODS: We analyzed 528 patients undergoing elective resection of colorectal cancer at Heidelberg University Hospital between 2009 and 2018.
METHODS: None.
METHODS: Intraoperative mean EtCO2 values were calculated. The study cohort was equally stratified into low-and high-EtCO2 groups. The primary endpoint measure was recurrence-free survival until last known follow-up. Groups were compared using Kaplan-Meier analysis. Cox-regression analysis was used to control for covariates. Sepsis, reoperations, surgical site infections and cardiovascular events during hospital stay, and overall survival were secondary outcomes.
RESULTS: Mean EtCO2 was 33.8 mmHg ±1.2 in the low- EtCO2 group vs. 37.3 mmHg ±1.6 in the high-EtCO2 group. Median follow-up was 3.8 (Q1-Q3, 2.5-5.1) years. Recurrence-free survival was higher in the low-EtCO2 group (log-rank-test: p = .024). After correction for confounding factors, lower EtCO2 was associated with increased recurrence-free survival (HR = 1.138, 95%-CI:1.015-1.276, p = .027); the hazard for the primary outcome decreased by 12.1% per 1 mmHg decrease in mean EtCO2. 1-year and 5-year survival was also higher in the low-EtCO2 group. We did not find differences in the other secondary endpoints.
CONCLUSIONS: Lower intraoperative EtCO2 target values in CRC surgery might benefit oncological outcome and should be evaluated in confirmative studies.

Background Gastrointestinal malignancy surgeries are known to have a risk of postoperative complications. Preoperative nutritional status has been suggested as a potential predictor of postoperative outcomes, with low serum albumin levels utilized as a marker of malnutrition and increased risk of postoperative complications. This paper investigated the association between preoperative serum albumin levels and postoperative outcomes in patients undergoing colorectal cancer surgery. Methods This retrospective data-maintained study was based on all patients aged 18 years and above who underwent colorectal cancer surgery at King Abdulaziz Medical City, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia between 2015 and 2022. Results A total of 400 patients were included in the study. With an average age of 64.43 years. Males represented 254 (63%) of the patients, while females accounted for 146 (37%). Thirty percent of patients had hypoalbuminemia (i.e., albumin level below 35 g/L) before surgery. Among the sample, 112 (28%) experienced complications after surgery. The mean albumin level for patients who experienced postoperative complications was 30.46 g/L while patients without complications had a normal albumin level. As for the length of hospital stay, it was eight days for patients with a normal albumin level and 23 days for hypoalbuminemia patients. Conclusion In conclusion, preoperative hypoalbuminemia is associated with poor patient outcomes and can be utilized as a prognostic marker for patients in need of colorectal cancer surgery.

Given that colorectal cancer is one of the leading causes of mortality, mucinous adenocarcinoma is one of the subtypes and is characterized by the presence of mucin-producing tumor cells with mucin components and is more challenging to manage. In Saudi Arabia, it represents approximately 10-15% of all colorectal carcinoma. The main etiological cause of mucinous adenocarcinoma is yet not well understood. The main goal of our study is to discuss the histopathology and the molecular background of mucinous colorectal adenocarcinoma and also to provide an update on its prognosis and therapeutics from recent published literature. It is a retrospective cohort study that was conducted at King Faisal Specialist Hospital, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. The study included 68 adult patients diagnosed with mucinous colon cancer, who did surgical resection alone or with or without adjuvant chemotherapy following from January 2011 to December 2020. The mucinous subtypes are found more commonly in the proximal colon. In our study, 26 patients (38.2% of the cases) were right-sided and 35 patients (51.5%) were from the left side, but these included the rectum as well and this reflects the higher incidence of diagnosis of rectal cancer in the region. Most tumors were classified as Grade II in 56 patients (82.4%), consistent with the intermediate differentiation status often associated with the mucinous subtypes. The most common symptom at presentation was abdominal pain in 38 patients (55.9%) followed by per rectal bleeding and abdominal mass. The management in our study was in line with the standard established practice and surgical resection as expected was the primary potentially curative approach. Notably of patients presenting with locally advanced rectal cancer, six patients underwent concomitant chemoradiotherapy followed by surgery and four patients had upfront surgery. The duration of the median follow-up was 32 months. At the time of analysis, 30 patients (44.1%) were alive and remained on regular follow-up, 17 patients (25%) had succumbed to the disease, and 21 patients (30.9%) were lost to follow-up. The median overall survival was not reached, and notably, 49 patients (71.6%) remained alive at the four-year mark. Whilst our study contributes to the current understanding of mucinous adenocarcinomas of the colon, further research in molecular profiling and genomic testing and larger clinical trials with tailored treatments is necessary to refine treatment strategies and improve outcomes.