These findings support single-port right colectomy as a safe and efficacious approach to right colon resections in patients eligible for laparoscopy with minimal additional equipment or learning curve for experienced laparoscopic colorectal surgeons. The single port was undertaken without an increase in morbidity or mortality. There was no increase in operative time with use of the single-port approach. Finally, adequate lymph node harvest and margin clearance was maintained.

Sigmoid volvulus occurs in elderly and debilitated patients with significant morbidity, mortality, and lifestyle implications. In selected patients, anastomosis without proximal diversion in patients with sigmoid volvulus results in similar outcomes to colectomy with end colostomy.

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Background Natural orifice transluminal endoscopic surgery (NOTES), a recent development in the field of minimally invasive surgery, provides theoretical advantages over open and laparoscopic surgery. Challenges with the use of NOTES for colon resections include the need to extract a large specimen and perform an intestinal anastomosis. A transanal single-port laparoscopic proctectomy uses the potential advantages of NOTES yet provides easy specimen extraction and anastomosis. Methods Fresh frozen then thawed human cadavers were used. Access was obtained via transanal mucosectomy, and a transanal endoscopic microsurgery (TEM) system was used to perform the proctectomy once the procedure was above the pelvic floor. After the peritoneal cavity was entered, a hand port was placed through the sphincter and above the pelvic floor. The left colon was mobilized using two 5-mm working ports and a 10-mm camera port for the flexible-tipped laparoscope that were placed through the hand port. The specimen was removed transanally. Results The critical steps for an oncologic resection of the rectum were achieved using a combination of TEM and laparoscopic instrumentation transanally. The rectum and mesorectum were mobilized. The left ureter was identified and preserved, the inferior mesenteric artery (IMA) ligated at its origin, the inferior mesenteric vein ligated near the ligament of Treitz, the proximal colon mobilized for transanal extraction, the specimen resected proximal to the ligated IMA, and a hand-sewn coloanal anastomosis performed. Postresection examination showed preservation of the hypogastric nerves and an intact mesorectum. Challenges included maneuverability around the sacral promontory and length of the instruments. However, this was easily overcome by the use of long reticulating instruments and a flexible-tipped laparoscope. Conclusions Transanal single-port low anterior resection using TEM and laparoscopic techniques is feasible and can maintain the principles of an oncologic resection.

Background: The Veterans Administration (VA) has been using telehealth to enhance Veteran access to high quality VA care for over a decade. Clinical video telehealth (CVT) is one such telehealth tool that allows Veterans the opportunity to be evaluated by specialists at the Indianapolis VA while they actually remain in their community (in their local healthcare setting). Such tools are reported to improve satisfaction by avoiding the need to make the long, stressful, and often costly trips to the Medical Center. Our goal is to describe the results of CVT implementation at the Indianapolis VA. Methods: A retrospective review of the data from 2011-2014 related to the use of CVT at the Indianapolis VA was undertaken. The data collected during this time period included: the number of CVT visits per year by specialty, the number of miles in travel avoided per visit, and patient satisfaction survey data, which are obtained after each CVT visit. Results: A total of 14,708 Veterans have enrolled in our CVT telehealth program since 2011. There were 23,267 visits in 2013. 486,170 miles related to travel were avoided (calculating the number of miles avoided in travel from home to a local satellite site as compared to having to travel from home to the Indianapolis VA). At the current Government reimbursement rate of $0.42/mile, this is expressed in a cost avoidance of $209,053. In total, since 2011, the telehealth CVT program has saved the Government $331,132, a total of 770,075 miles saved in travel for our Veterans. In addition, the CVT program has been very well received by our Veterans with an overall satisfaction score of 96%. Conclusion: Our results indicate that the implementation of CVT is cost effective and is well received by Veterans. Telehealth modalities such as CVT are viable options that enhance Veteran satisfaction by decreasing the time and the costs related to travel while continuing to offer high quality health care.

The LPLNs that were identified on pretherapy imaging do not affect the overall or disease-free survival after the neoadjuvant therapy and proctectomy in stage III rectal cancer. A lateral pelvic lymph node dissection does not appear to be justified in stage III patients with LPLNs on pretherapy imaging who receive neoadjuvant therapy.

MBP + OABP was associated with reduced morbidity compared with no bowel preparation in elderly patients undergoing elective colorectal resection. MBP alone was not associated with differences in outcomes compared with no bowel preparation. The use of MBP + OABP is safe and effective in elderly patients undergoing elective colectomy.