Deep vein thrombosis (DVT) is a significant postoperative concern, particularly in patients undergoing surgery for gastrointestinal (GI) cancers. These patients often present multiple risk factors, including advanced age and elevated body mass index (BMI), which can increase the likelihood of thromboembolic events. Effective prophylaxis is crucial in this high-risk population to minimize complications such as DVT and pulmonary embolism (PE). This study investigates a comprehensive DVT prevention protocol, combining mechanical and pharmacological strategies alongside early mobilization, to evaluate its effectiveness and safety in reducing postoperative thrombosis rates among GI cancer surgery patients.

To evaluate the effectiveness and safety of postoperative DVT prevention strategies in patients with GI cancer.

A prospective cohort study was conducted involving 100 patients who underwent surgery for GI tumors between January and December 2022. All patients received a standardized DVT prevention protocol, which included risk assessment, mechanical prophylaxis, pharmacological prophylaxis, and early mobilization. The primary endpoint was the incidence of DVT within 30 days postoperatively. Secondary outcomes included the occurrence of PE, bleeding complications, and adherence to the protocol.

The overall incidence of DVT was 7% (7/100 patients). One patient (1%) developed PE. The adherence rate to the prevention protocol was 92%. Bleeding complications were observed in 3% of patients. Significant risk factors for DVT development included advanced age [odds ratio (OR): 1.05; 95% confidence interval (95%CI): 1.01-1.09], higher BMI (OR: 1.11; 95%CI: 1.03-1.19), and longer operative time (OR: 1.007; 95%CI: 1.001-1.013).

Implementing a comprehensive DVT prevention and management protocol for patients undergoing GI tumor surgery resulted in a lower incidence. Strict adherence and individualized risk assessment are crucial for optimizing outcomes.

We compared the incidence of venous thromboembolism (VTE) among Asian populations with localized colorectal cancer undergoing curative resection with and without the use of pharmacological thromboprophylaxis (PTP).

A comprehensive literature search was undertaken to identify relevant studies published from January 1, 1980 to February 28, 2022. The inclusion criteria were patients who underwent primary tumor resection for localized nonmetastatic colorectal cancer; an Asian population or studies conducted in an Asian country; randomized controlled trials, case-control studies, or cohort studies; and the incidence of symptomatic VTE, deep vein thrombosis, and/or pulmonary embolism as the primary study outcomes. Data were pooled using a random-effects model. This study was registered in PROSPERO on October 11, 2020 (No. CRD42020206793).

Seven studies (2 randomized controlled trials and 5 observational cohort studies) were included, encompassing 5,302 patients. The overall incidence of VTE was 1.4%. The use of PTP did not significantly reduce overall VTE incidence: 1.1% (95% confidence interval [CI], 0%-3.1%) versus 1.9% (95% CI, 0.3%-4.4%; P = 0.55). Similarly, PTP was not associated with significantly lower rates of symptomatic VTE, proximal deep vein thrombosis, or pulmonary embolism.

The benefit of PTP in reducing VTE incidence among Asian patients undergoing curative resection for localized colorectal cancer has not been clearly established. The decision to administer PTP should be evaluated on a case-bycase basis and with consideration of associated bleeding risks.

A stoma is commonly created in patients with a high risk of anastomotic leakage. However, patients with obesity have a higher incidence of stoma-related complications, and the decision to create a stoma should be carefully considered. We report two cases of patients with colorectal cancer and super-morbid obesity wherein stoma creation was avoided.

Case 1 involved a 52-year-old male patient with a body mass index (BMI) of 41.8 kg/m2 who underwent a robotic-assisted laparoscopic low anterior resection after neoadjuvant chemotherapy for lower rectal cancer. Although temporary diverting ileostomy was initially considered, stoma creation was skipped intraoperatively, considering the complication risk-benefit ratio. Case 2 involved a 42-year-old female patient with a BMI of 64 kg/m2 who underwent open partial non-curative colon resection for descending colon cancer complicated by colonic perforation and abscess formation. The patient was considered to be at high risk of stoma-related complications due to high mobility of the subcutaneous fat of abdominal wall; therefore, we decided not to create a stoma preoperatively.

Considering the high risk of stoma-associated complications, avoiding stoma creation and implementing preventive measures against potential complications are alternative options for patients with super-morbid obesity.

We present our experience two cases in which stoma creation was avoided for super-morbid obese patients with BMI over 40.

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the third most common malignancy and the second deadliest cancer worldwide. Metastasis to the liver, the most common metastatic site in CRC, is the leading cause of death in patients with CRC. Hyperlipidemia, which is common in patients with CRC, promotes CRC progression and metastasis. Hyperlipidemia is commonly observed in obese patients and is often induced by hypernutrition. The underlying mechanism of hypernutrition-induced hyperlipidemia in promoting CRC liver metastasis remains unclear, and there is an unmet need for effective and low-cost treatments for patients with CRC.

A mouse cecum orthotopic CRC model combined with high-fat diet (HFD) feeding, was established to mimic liver metastasis in CRC in obese patients. The effects of Dachaihu decoction (DCHD), a traditional herbal medicine used to treat inflammation and nonalcoholic fatty liver disease, and of the conventional prescription medicine obeticholic acid (OCA) were evaluated. HFD-induced obesity, hyperlipidemia, and CRC liver metastasis were assessed, along with the histology and pathology of the liver and intestine and the expression of metabolic genes in these tissues. The effects of DCHD and OCA on HFD-induced outcomes were evaluated, and human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) treated with bile acids (BAs) and DCHD were used to study the underlying mechanisms in vitro.

HFD-mediated obesity and hyperlipidemia promoted CRC metastasis, accompanied by disruption of the gut vascular barrier (GVB) and altered bile acid (BA) metabolism. DCHD decreased HFD-induced hyperlipidemia and liver metastasis in CRC, improving overall survival. Those effects of DCHD were equivalent to or better than those of OCA. DCHD regulated the expression of genes of BA metabolism and tight junctions (TJ) to prevent HFD-induced disruption of the GVB. In HUVECs, DCHD prevented the increases in intracellular Ca2+ and accumulation of reactive oxygen species induced by primary conjugated BAs, assisting in the maintenance of redox homeostasis and preventing the downregulation of TJ proteins, thereby maintaining the integrity of the endothelial barrier.

The data provide a link between hypernutrition and GVB disruption, which contributes to high liver metastasis in patients with CRC. DCHD may represent a novel therapy in CRC, and targeting abnormal lipid metabolism could be a promising therapeutic strategy for avoiding hypernutrition-associated CRC metastasis.

Venous thromboembolism (VTE) is a life-threatening postoperative complication of malignant tumors. We identified risk factors for postoperative VTE in patients undergoing radical resection of colorectal cancer (CRC) and constructed and validated a clinical prediction model. Clinical data of 982 patients undergoing radical resection of CRC from September 1, 2020, to March 31, 2022, in Ningxia Medical University General Hospital were analyzed retrospectively. Patients were randomly divided into training (n = 617) and validation groups (n = 264). Data included baseline characteristics, preoperative complications, examination results, and intraoperative and postoperative indicators. Logistic regression analysis was used to determine risk factors, build a predictive model, and draw a predictive nomogram (CRSPOT). Receiver operating characteristics (ROC) curve was used to calculate the area under the curve (AUC) for evaluating the model's predictive ability. Independent risk factors for postoperative VTE were as follows: postoperative hemoglobin of <10 g/L (odds ratio [OR] 0.413, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.220-0.777), postoperative D-dimer of ≥3.5μg/mL (OR 2.156, 95% CI 1.145-4.061), BMI of ≥25 kg/m2 (OR 2.313, 95% CI 1.225-4.369), operation time of ≥4 h (OR 2.292, 95% CI 1.232-4.262), lower extremity varicose veins (OR 4.499, 95% CI 1.764-11.476), postoperative ileus (OR 5.760, 95% CI 2.031-16.337), and postoperative hypoxemia (OR 9.230, 95% CI 4.562-18.672). The nomogram's AUC was 0.826, demonstrating a reliable predictive ability. The CRSPOT nomogram reliably predicts postoperative VTE in patients undergoing radical resection of CRC, identifying high-risk patients early, allowing early implementation of antithrombotic strategies, and helping to reduce the incidence and mortality of postoperative VTE.

Postoperative venous thromboembolism (VTE) is a major and potentially fatal postoperative complication of colorectal cancer surgery. However, there is uncertainty about the necessity for anticoagulant prophylaxis to prevent VTE after laparoscopic colorectal cancer surgery because of its associated relatively lower incidence. Currently, anticoagulant therapy is considered mainly for patients at high risk of the development of VTE. Focusing on proximal deep vein thrombosis (DVT)/ pulmonary embolism (PE), we aimed to identify those cases at high risk of the development of fatal VTE.

We performed an exploratory retrospective analysis to identify the risk factors for postoperative proximal DVT and PE after laparoscopic colorectal cancer surgery in patients included in our prospective trial.

A logistic regression analysis revealed factors that could predict the onset of proximal DVT/PE in patients with colorectal cancer. Blood loss and tumor location were identified as the predictors of proximal DVT/PE.

Patients with rectal cancer and those with excessive blood loss during colon cancer surgery must be monitored carefully for signs of VTE and especially proximal DVT/PE, after laparoscopic surgery.

Obesity is considered a risk factor for postoperative complications as it can limit exposure to the operation field, thereby significantly prolonging surgery time. Obesity-associated comorbidities, such as low-grade systemic inflammation, impaired functional status, and type 2 diabetes, are independent risk factors for impaired anastomotic wound healing and nonsurgical site infections. If obesity itself is an independent risk factor for surgical complications remains controversial, but the reason for this is largely unexplored.

A MEDLINE literature search was performed using the terms: "obesity," "excess body weight," and "surgical complications." Out of 65,493 articles 432 meta-analyses were screened, of which 25 meta-analyses were on the subject. The vast majority of complex oncologic procedures in the field of visceral surgery have shown higher complication rates in obese patients. Meta-analyses from the last 10 to 15 years with high numbers of patients enrolled consistently have shown longer operation times, higher blood loss, longer hospital stay for colorectal procedures, oncologic upper gastrointestinal (GI) procedures, and pancreatic surgery. Interestingly, these negative effects seem not to affect the overall survival in oncologic patients, especially in esophageal resections. A selection bias in oncologic upper GI patients may have influenced the results with higher BMI in upper GI cancer to be a predictor for better nutritional and performance status.

Contrary to bariatric surgery, only limited evidence indicated that site and type of surgery, the approach to the abdominal cavity (laparoscopic vs. open), institutional factors, and the type of perioperative care such as ERAS protocols may play a role in determining postsurgical complications in obese patients. The initial question remains therefore partially unanswered. Large nationwide register-based studies are necessary to better understand which aspects of obesity and its related comorbidities define it as a risk factor for surgical complications.