Background: Transanal dissection of the rectum has been recently introduced for ileal pouch-anal anastomosis (IPAA) in UC showing promising results. Thanks to the precise identification of the rectotomy site the risk of long rectal stump is avoided, and a single stapled anastomosis is performed easily. The aim of this study is to analyze our initial experience of transanal IPAA (Ta-IPAA), considering postoperative complications and medium-term functional outcomes. Methods: Our Center has experienced the transanal approach for proctectomy and IPAA since October 2018. All patients underwent Enhanced Recovery After Surgery (ERAS) protocol. Postoperative complications occurring within 30 days after surgery were taken into consideration. Results: Until March 2019, 8 patients underwent Ta-IPAA. In all cases the laparoscopic approach was performed during the transabdominal phase; abdominal drainage was never used. At the time of the pouch construction a defunctioning ileostomy was created in all patients. Stoma closure was performed in all cases at a median time of 6 months after surgery. Postoperative complications occurred in only one patient, who showed rectal bleeding. There were no cases of anastomotic leakage. Medium-term functional outcomes were determined prospectively by a validated questionnaire (Cleveland Global Quality of Life). Fecal incontinence for liquid or solid stool, restriction in work and social genitourinary and sexual functions were also investigated. Conclusions: In our experience, Ta-IPAA provided good short and medium-term functional results in UC. Background Restorative proctocolectomy is widely adopted in the treatment of ulcerative colitis ,, , as well as in other inflammatory and neoplastic conditions, requiring an ileal pouch-anal anastomosis (IPAA) to reconstruct gastrointestinal continuity to the anus. Conventionally, either the laparoscopic or the open approach can be employed to gain rectal dissection and creation of ileal pouch-anal anastomosis. Pouch-anal anastomosis is usually made using a stapler, leaving a 2 cm rectal cuff in order to preserve continence and to reduce the risk of inflammatory recurrence or dysplasia. The dissection of the last centimeters of the rectum, rectum resection and ileal pouch-anal anastomosis could be demanding from a technical point of view due to narrow pelvic space and cross stapling of the distal part of the rectum is often challenging for surgeons. Transanal total mesorectal excision (TaTME) has been recently described in rectal cancer treatment, with potential technical and oncologic advantages compared to transabdominal approach. The transanal approach for the proctectomy has been described also in IPAA since 2015, showing feasibility and potential technical advantages; some series ,,, and initial comparative studies have been published , , showing a not increased rate of postoperative morbidity, equivalent quality of life and functional results. The aim of our study is to analyze a single centre experience of transanal IPAA (Ta-IPAA), examining e...

Surgery is a mainstay treatment for patients with solid tumours. However, despite surgical resection with a curative intent and numerous advances in the effectiveness of (neo)adjuvant therapies, metastatic disease remains common and carries a high risk of mortality. The biological perturbations that accompany the surgical stress response and the pharmacological effects of anaesthetic drugs, paradoxically, might also promote disease recurrence or the progression of metastatic disease. When cancer cells persist after surgery, either locally or at undiagnosed distant sites, neuroendocrine, immune, and metabolic pathways activated in response to surgery and/or anaesthesia might promote their survival and proliferation. A consequence of this effect is that minimal residual disease might then escape equilibrium and progress to metastatic disease. Herein, we discuss the most promising proposals for the refinement of perioperative care that might address these challenges. We outline the rationale and early evidence for the adaptation of anaesthetic techniques and the strategic use of anti-adrenergic, anti-inflammatory, and/or antithrombotic therapies. Many of these strategies are currently under evaluation in large-cohort trials and hold promise as affordable, readily available interventions that will improve the postoperative recurrence-free survival of patients with cancer.