Purpose Age and postoperative complications are known risk factors for venous thromboembolism (VTE). Minimally invasive surgery and Enhanced Recovery After Surgery (ERAS) protocol has been implemented to reduce these risks. The purpose of this study was to assess the short- and long-term effects of a VTE prophylaxis program using the Caprini score in elderly patients undergoing minimally invasive colorectal cancer surgery with the ERAS protocol.
Methods This retrospective cross-sectional study included 1,043 colorectal cancer patients requiring surgery from January 2017 to December 2019, divided into a control group (≤75 years) and an elderly group (>75 years), with 827 and 216 patients, respectively. The primary outcome was the incidence of VTE; secondary outcome was the incidence of postoperative complications, particularly bleeding.
Results The incidence of VTE was 1.5% in the control group and 3.7% in the elderly group (P=0.061). Five patients (0.5%) experienced symptomatic VTE, and the Caprini score for all VTE patients was ≤8 points; thus, only mechanical prophylaxis was used. In the multivariable logistic regression, the Caprini score (P=0.024) and cancer stage (P=0.004) were selected. The odds ratios (95% confidence interval) of the Caprini score and TNM staging were 1.758 (1.078–2.867) and 6.152 (2.045–26.510), respectively.
Conclusion When the ERAS protocol was used for patients with colorectal cancer as perioperative care, the VTE risk was lower than that estimated by the Caprini score. Given that age is a recognized risk factor for major bleeding, criteria for the use of anticoagulation to prevent VTE, particularly in elderly patients, should be carefully evaluated, considering both the bleeding risks and the potential benefits of pharmacologic prophylaxis.
Trial registration: Clinical Research Information Service (CRIS; cris.nih.go.kr) identifier: KCT0007804
Tae Gyu Kim, Chul Seung Lee, Dong Geun Lee, Choon Sik Chung, Seung Han Kim, Sang Hwa Yu, Jeong Eun Lee, Gwan Cheol Lee, Dong Woo Kang, Jeong Sub Kim, Gyu Young Jeong
Ann Coloproctol. 2025;41(2):145-153. Published online April 28, 2025
Purpose The long-term outcomes and efficacy of partial stapled hemorrhoidopexy (PSH) compared with those of conventional hemorrhoidectomy (CH) are not fully understood. This study aimed to introduce a modified PSH (mPSH) and compare its clinical efficacy and safety with those of CH.
Methods A prospective randomized controlled trial was conducted. This study was performed at a single hospital and involved 6 colorectal surgeons. In total, 110 patients were enrolled between July 2019 and September 2020. Patients were randomly assigned to undergo either mPSH group (n=55) or CH group (n=55). The primary outcome was to compare postoperative average pain and postoperative peak pain using visual analog scale score between the 2 groups.
Results The required duration of analgesia was shorter in the mPSH group than in the CH group, although the difference was not statistically significant (P=0.096). However, the laxative requirement duration (P<0.010), return to work (P<0.010), satisfaction score (P<0.010), and Vaizey score (P=0.014) were significantly better in the mPSH group. The average and peak postoperative pain scores were significantly lower in the mPSH group during the 15 days after surgery (P<0.001). The overall complication rate in both groups was 9.1%, with no significant difference between the groups (P=0.867).
Conclusion The mPSH group demonstrated better improvement in symptoms, lower pain scores, and greater patient early satisfaction after surgery than the CH group. Therefore, this surgical technique appears to be a safe and effective alternative for CH.