Raffaele Galleano’s research while affiliated with Azienda Ospedaliera San Paolo - Polo Universitario and other places

In our previous survey of experts, surgeon's decision-making process (DMP) about protective ileostomy (PI) creation after anterior resection was investigated. Based on our previous data, a multiple choice questionnaire has been developed. The aim is to perform a quantitative analysis of the results obtained from an international survey and to describe the clinical practice worldwide. Ten questions were related to participants' demographics and, 20 questions (of which 17 Likert scale questions) investigated the DMP regarding PI creation. To evaluate the tendency of the answers in the Likert-type questions, the mean of the answers obtained was compared with the mean point of the Likert scale. The survey was completed by 1019 physicians. Neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy and distance of the anastomosis from the anal verge ≤ 10 cm were each considered alone sufficient to justify creation of a PI, with statistically significant differences in comparison to the mean point of the scales in (p = < 0.0001 in both cases). Total Mesorectal Excision alone was not considered a factor sufficient to create a PI (p = 0.416). Most of the participants agree to define their approach to create a PI "tailored" to patients' risk factors (p = < 0.0001) and "influenced by my experience" in case of patients with low/moderate risk of anastomotic leakage (p = < 0.0001). This study provides useful insights on the worldwide clinical practice regarding creation of PI following anterior resection. Given the lack of standardization and evidence-based guidelines, this analysis may be helpful to assist surgeons' practice. Keywords: Adenocarcinoma; Anterior resection of the rectum; Decision-making process; Defunctioning stoma; Protective ileostomy.

Adrenalectomies are growing worldwide because of the frequent diagnosis of incidentaloma and the use of minimally invasive surgery (MIS). The factors used to identify a malignant lesion and the best surgical technique are uncertain. In this context, the definition of high-volume center and expert surgeon is under debate. The Italian Society of Endoscopic Surgery and New Technologies (SICE) developed a nationwide survey to investigate the state-of-the-art of adrenal surgery in Italy. A web-based survey comprising 37 questions was developed and distributed to Italian surgeons involved in adrenal surgery. Two hundred forty-eight answers were analyzed. Consensus was reached among the survey participants regarding local infiltration (83%) and rapid growth of the lesion (81%) as markers of malignancy. Nearly 30% of the participants used MIS in case of malignant adrenal lesions. The lateral (50%) and anterior transperitoneal (44%) approaches were the most common among Italian surgeons. Approximately 40% of participants believe that 20–40 adrenalectomies/year are needed to define an expert surgeon and at least 20 procedures/year to define a high-volume center. Approximately half of participants performed < 10 adrenalectomies/year in centers with a median volume < 10 procedures/year . Based on participant feedback, this survey highlights local infiltration and rapid growth as the most significant markers of malignant adrenal lesions. While open adrenalectomy remains the gold standard for suspected malignant lesions, nearly 30% of the participants practice MIS even in these cases. The lateral and anterior transperitoneal approaches emerge as the most familiar for Italian surgeons. A substantial proportion of Italian patients with adrenal lesions undergo surgery performed by surgeons with an annual case volume < 10 procedures, at centers with a low annual volume of adrenalectomies. Moreover, there is a lack of standardized definitions for ‘expert surgeon’ and ‘high-volume center’ in this context.