The frequent occurrence of E. coli positive for cyclomodulins such as colibactin (CLB), the cytotoxic necrotizing factor (CNF), and the cytolethal distending factor (CDT) in colorectal cancer (CRC) patients published so far provides the opportunity to use them as CRC screening markers. We examined the practicability and performance of a low-cost detection approach that relied on culture followed by simplified DNA extraction and PCR in E. coli isolates recovered from 130 CRC patients and 111 controls. Our results showed a statistically significant association between CRC and the presence of colibactin genes clbB and clbN, the cnf gene, and newly, the hemolytic phenotype of E. coli isolates. We also observed a significant increase in the mean number of morphologically distinct E. coli isolates per patient in the CRC cohort compared to controls, indicating that the cyclomodulin-producing E. coli strains may represent potentially preventable harmful newcomers in CRC patients. A colibactin gene assay showed the highest detection rate (45.4%), and males would benefit from the screening more than females. However, because of the high number of false positives, practical use of this marker must be explored. In our opinion, it may serve as an auxiliary marker to increase the specificity and/or sensitivity of the well-established fecal immunochemical test (FIT) in CRC screening.

Acute appendicitis is one of the most common surgical diagnoses in clinical practice. In case of uncomplicated course, diagnosis and treatment do not cause significant difficulties. On the other hand, unrecognized or complicated appendicitis can rarely bring unusual complications that threaten the patient with delayed treatment rather than the course itself. Portal vein thrombosis, also known as pylephlebitis, with an incidence of 1/1000 acute admissions, certainly meets this statement. In this study, we present a successful treatment of advanced acute appendicitis complicating treatment of biliary obstruction. Due to the advanced inflammation with forced intestinal resection in the extent of right-sided hemicolectomy. And then successful conservative treatment of portal vein thrombosis in the surgical facility lasting a total of 6 weeks when the patient was discharged to home care without sequelae. The epidemiology, presentation, diagnosis and strategy of treatments as well as their outcomes were discussed. Portal vein thrombosis after acute appendicitis is rare. In case of unfavorable postoperative course with high inflammatory markers, temperatures, discomfort and abdominal pain, a CT scan is in order, which can easily establish the diagnosis and subsequently target the treatment in the right direction. Treatment of pylephlebitis is conservative and long term. It consists in the application of low molecular weight heparin and targeted antibiotic treatment. The mortality rate is 32%.

Purpose: Healing of colorectal anastomosis is burdened with a number of risk factors and the development of leak carries with it higher morbidity and mortality associated not only with worse quality of life but also worse oncological outcomes. The purpose of the study was an evaluation of the effect of reinforcement suture in the healing of stapler rectal anastomosis and risk factors for anastomotic leakage in mid, upper rectal and sigmoid tumors.Methods: A total of 357 patients who underwent curative resection for rectal or sigmoid tumor over 5 years were analyzed. Risk factors, baseline demographic and clinical data, and presence of leak were recorded. All statistical analyses were carried out at a significance level of P<0.05.Results: One hundred fifty-one patients met the inclusion criteria for the study. The overall incidence of leak was 2.8% in the group with reinforcement suture and 6.3% in the group without reinforcement suture. Because of the low incidence of leak the results were not statistically significant. Further results also show that none of the monitored parameters (age, weight, body mass index, tumor distance, preoperative radiotherapy, tumor stage, type of surgery) were significant predictors of anastomotic leakage.Conclusion: Although the reinforcement suture is a safe and simple option for anastomosis protection after rectal or sigmoid resections, its statistical significance was not demonstrated in our study.

The significance of portal vein embolization in the treatment of colorectal liver metastases

Anastomotic leak after colorectal surgery is a major problem associated with higher morbidity and mortality. In most cases of contained leaks, treatment recommendations are clear and effective. However, in rare cases like necrotizing pelvic infection, there is no clear treatment of choice, despite the mortality rate almost 21%. We present successful management with endoscopic vacuum-assisted closure therapy. A 68-year-old female patient with BMI 26, hypothyroidism and high blood pressure was indicated to low anterior rectal resection because of high-risk neoplasia of lateral spreading tumor type of the upper rectum. Four days after the primary operation, sepsis (SOFA 12) with diffuse peritonitis and unconfirmed leak according to CT led to surgical revision with loop ileostomy. On postoperative days 6-10, swelling, inflammation and subsequent necrosis of the right groin and femoral region communicating with the leak cavity developed. The endoscopy confirmed a leak of 30% of the anastomotic circumference with the indication of debridement and endoscopic vacuum-assisted closure therapy. EVAC sessions with 3-4 day intervals healed the leak cavity. Secondary healing of the skin defects required 4 months. Necrotizing pelvic infection after a leak of the colorectal anastomosis is a very rare complication with high morbidity and mortality. Endoscopic vacuum-assisted closure therapy should be implemented in the multimodal therapeutic strategy in case of major leaks, affecting up to 270° of the anastomotic circumference.

Introduction: Surgical oesophagectomy remains the primary curative treatment for oesophageal cancer. It is a challenging procedure that carries the possibility of serious postoperative complications. Methodology: Retrospective analysis of preoperative oropharyngeal microbiologic cultivation, the role of decontamination, and the postoperative microbiologic cultivation in patients after hybrid esophagectomy with mild or severe respiratory complications (pneumonia and respiratory failure), and anastomotic leakage. Results: Significantly more pneumonias were found in the group without eradication (Escherichia coli, facultative anaerobe, p=0.016) and in the group with new infection (Pseudomonas aeruginosa (hospital-acquired infection, p<0. 0001), Enterobacter cloacae (facultatively anaerobic, p=0.032), E. coli (facultative anaerobes, p<0.0001), Klebsiela pneumoniae (hospital-acquired infection, p<0.0001), Staphylococcus aureus (facultative anaerobe, p=0.0001), Acinetobacter junii (nosocomial infection, p=0.032), and Candida albicans (opportunistic pathogenic yeast, p<0.0001)) p<0.0001. Postoperative positivity for Citrobacter freundi increased the odds of leak by 10.76 times (facultative anaerobic, p=0.042, OR 10.76), and for E. coli by 3.17 times (p=0.017, OR 3.17). Conclusion: Despite the use of targeted antibiotic therapy, a significant proportion of opportunistic and nosocomial infections still occur in the pattern of postoperative respiratory and anastomotic complications in patients after esophagectomy.