News Items

The latest CREST® Weekly Curriculum module, Behcet’s Disease, is now available! This module covers Behcet’s disease and focuses on the evaluation and management of those patients with this underlying disorder.

Objectives:

• Discuss the diagnostic criteria for Behcet’s disease
• Identify gastrointestinal Behcet’s
• Explain the treatment options for gastrointestinal Behcet’s

CREST® Weekly Curriculum modules are free to members. To access, log in at the top of this page, click on MY ACCOUNT, then follow the link to the CREST® Online Learning Center. Not a member of ASCRS? Learn more about the benefits of membership in the American Society of Colon and Rectal Surgeons.

The latest CREST® Weekly Curriculum module, ERAF and Anal Fistula, is now available! Healing the fistula is balanced with preserving continence, therefore excluding primary fistulotomy is many cases. The endorectal advancement flap has been considered the "gold standard" treatment option yet quality data remains elusive and published studies suggest there remains room for improvement in surgical outcomes. There are several variables that can be performed in the technical steps of the operation, including flap thickness, use of a seton, fistulectomy and fibrin glue instillation. Each of these are reviewed and data is presented related to outcomes.

Objectives:

• Understand the etiologies and types of perianal fistulas.
• Understand the role for endorectal advancement flap including indications and contraindications.
• Recognize the variables in performing the surgery and data that support a standardized approach.
• Understand the basic balance of curing the fistula while preserving continence and how outcomes are measured accordingly.

CREST® Weekly Curriculum modules are free to members. To access, log in at the top of this page, click on MY ACCOUNT, then follow the link to the CREST® Online Learning Center. Not a member of ASCRS? Learn more about the benefits of membership in the American Society of Colon and Rectal Surgeons.

Our newest CREST® Weekly Curriculum module, Ischemic Colitis, is now available! This module focuses on the evaluation and management (both non-operative and operative) of those patients with this underlying disorder.

Objectives:

• Discuss the vasculature of the colon, including the watershed regions.
• Identify the signs and symptoms of ischemic colitis.
• Evaluate the diagnostic tools used to evaluate ischemis colitis.
• Outline the medical and surgical interventions used to treat ischemic colitis.

CREST® Weekly Curriculum modules are free to members. To access, log in at the top of this page, click on MY ACCOUNT, then follow the link to the CREST® Online Learning Center. Not a member of ASCRS? Learn more about the benefits of membership in The American Society of Colon and Rectal Surgeons.

The latest CREST® Weekly Curriculum module, MSI Testing of Colorectal Cancer, is now available! This module covers the different genetic mechanisms of colorectal cancer. It will discuss Lynch syndrome and sporadic microsatellite unstable colorectal cancer, as well as testing methods.

Objectives:

• Identify sporadic hypermethylated colorectal cancer
• Identify Lynch syndrome
• Employ a logical sequence of testing for microsatellite unstable colorectal cancer

To access this module, log in at the top of this page, click on MY ACCOUNT, then follow the link to the CREST® Online Learning Center. Not a member of ASCRS? Learn more about the benefits of membership in the American Society of Colon and Rectal Surgeons.

The latest CREST® Weekly Curriculum module, Neoadjuvant Therapy for Rectal Cancer, is now available! The module on neoadjuvant therapy for rectal cancer focuses on the utilization of chemoradiation therapy in the overall treatment of patients with rectal cancer. It discusses the introduction of radiation therapy, the importance of the quality of surgery and prospective randomized clinical trials that have helped to formulate the current regimens that are now being used. As we learn more about the behavior of rectal cancer and modes of success and failure of treatment, tailored regimens are being developed and trialed for effectiveness. Therefore, future directions of neoadjuvant therapy regimens are also addressed.

Objectives:

• Describe the impact and benefits of neoadjuvant radiation therapy – both long and short course.
• Explain the impact of the addition of chemotherapy to neoadjuvant therapy.
• Recognize when rectal cancer should be treated with surgery alone.
• Describe the indication for the various neoadjuvant chemoradiation therapy regimens for the management of rectal cancer.

CREST® Weekly Curriculum modules are free to members. To access, log in at the top of this page, click on MY ACCOUNT, then follow the link to the CREST® Online Learning Center. Not a member of ASCRS? Learn more about the benefits of membership in the American Society of Colon and Rectal Surgeons.