BACKGROUND: Left-sided colonic resections are often anastomosed by the use of the circular stapling gun. Most surgeons routinely submit the resulting set of 'doughnuts' for histological examination. AIM: The aim of this study is to question the need for this practice by providing our own experience of the impact of 'doughnut' submission on patient management. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Patients who had undergone a stapled anastomosis for colorectal cancer resection (1998-2004) were identified from the department cancer database and clinical records and histopathological reports were reviewed for all cases. RESULTS: From a consecutive series of 100 sets of doughnuts only two showed histological abnormality (inflammatory change and a metaplastic polyp). Three patients had local recurrence over the follow-up period: 12, 14 and 36 months after surgery. Histological review of the 'doughnuts' in these patients did not show any abnormality. None of the above findings had any influence on subsequent management. CONCLUSION: Histological examination of the 'doughnuts' has a considerable impact in terms of time and resource use. This study has shown no benefit in performing routine histological examination of the 'doughnuts'.
BACKGROUND: Left-sided colonic resections are often anastomosed by the use of the circular stapling gun. Most surgeons routinely submit the resulting set of 'doughnuts' for histological examination. AIM: The aim of this study is to question the need for this practice by providing our own experience of the impact of 'doughnut' submission on patient management. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Patients who had undergone a stapled anastomosis for colorectal cancer resection (1998-2004) were identified from the department cancer database and clinical records and histopathological reports were reviewed for all cases. RESULTS: From a consecutive series of 100 sets of doughnuts only two showed histological abnormality (inflammatory change and a metaplastic polyp). Three patients had local recurrence over the follow-up period: 12, 14 and 36 months after surgery. Histological review of the 'doughnuts' in these patients did not show any abnormality. None of the above findings had any influence on subsequent management. CONCLUSION: Histological examination of the 'doughnuts' has a considerable impact in terms of time and resource use. This study has shown no benefit in performing routine histological examination of the 'doughnuts'.
Authors: K Sillah; E A Griffiths; S A Pritchard; R Swindell; C M West; R Page; I M Welch Journal: Ann R Coll Surg Engl Date: 2009-02-13 Impact factor: 1.891
Authors: Giovanni D De Palma; Gaetano Luglio; Stefania Staibano; Luigi Bucci; Dario Esposito; Francesco Maione; Massimo Mascolo; Gennaro Ilardi; Pietro Forestieri Journal: Surg Endosc Date: 2014-02-12 Impact factor: 4.584
Authors: James R Holden; Pam McIntosh; Garrett G R J Johnson; Jason Park; David J Hochman; Ashley Vergis; Benson Yip; Ramzi M Helewa; Eric Hyun Journal: BJS Open Date: 2022-09-02