Welcome to the Swedish part of the ESCP website! This page provides information on colorectal surgical practice and research in Sweden.
- Population: 10,548,877
- Society: Swedish Society for Colon and Rectal Surgeons. 276 members.
- ESCP members: 42
- ESCP representative: Disa Kalman (
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. ) - Certified colorectal surgeons: 155 (either by previous national examination or EBSQ).
- National surgical journal: Svensk Kirurgi
- National examination: An annual national preparatory course is held for the ESBQ examination.
Minimally invasive surgery
Minimally invasive surgery for rectal cancer was introduced 2010 and has quickly gained widespread acceptance in Sweden. Since 2016, it has been recommended in the national guidelines for colorectal cancer as the procedure of choice. In 2022, 54% of patients with rectal cancer were operated on using robotic technique and 24% underwent conventional laparoscopic surgery. In the same year, 67% of patients with colon cancer were treated with minimally invasive surgery, with 10% of these procedures performed using robotic technique.
Research
Swedish research in the colorectal field is renowned for its high quality. This reputation is partly due to our national registries SCRCR (Swedish Colorectal Cancer registry) and SWIBREG (Swedish Inflammatory Bowel Disease Registry), and partly due to a generally positive attitude towards participation in multicentre studies and a strong commitment to thorough data reporting.
A substantial portion of the research is derived from PhD theses. In Sweden, a PhD thesis typically consists of a series of individual scientific articles along with a comprehensive review of the topic. The dissertation act involves a public defence of the thesis, where an opponent challenges the respondent. The quality of the defence is then assessed by an examination committee.
Swedish theses in colorectal surgery >
Current research
ALASCCA (Adjuvant low dose aspirin in colorectal cancer)
25 Swedish hospitals and eight hospitals from other parts of Scandinavia are participating in a study to determine whether three years of treatment with 160mg of acetylsalicylic acid can improve the rate of disease-free survival for patients with acquired mutation in the PI3K-signaling pathway. The results of this study are expected to be published soon.
WoW (Watch and Wait) study
Patients who achieve a complete response after neoadjuvant treatment for rectal cancer are offered participation in this study. If they consent, surgery is postponed, and they are enrolled in a rigorous follow-up program. Surgery is only performed if the disease recurs. The results of this study are expected to be published soon. Additionally, a second WoW study has already started.
The ACBC study (Acute Colon resection versus Bridge to Colon surgery with stent or stoma)
This prospective cohort study compares acute colon resection versus bridge to colon surgery with the use of stent or stoma in patients requiring acute intervention due to colon obstruction caused by colon cancer, regardless of tumour location. 19 Swedish hospitals are actively recruiting patients.
CRUISE (Colectomy reconstruction for ulcerative colitis in Sweden and England)
This multicentre prospective study compares ileorectal anastomosis and ileal pouch-anal anastomosis after colectomy in patients with ulcerative colitis. The study focuses on patient satisfaction, quality of life, function outcomes and complications. It is conducted in collaboration with St Mark's, London.
EFFIPEC (Efficacy of hyperthermic intra peritoneal chemotherapy)
This multicentre randomised controlled trial compares standard HIPEC-treatment after cytoreductive surgery to an intensified HIPEC treatment regimen.
SELSA (Selective defunctioning stoma approach in low anterior resection for rectal cancer)
This multicentre Nordic trial is an observational study with a nested randomised trial where low risk patients are randomised to no defunctioning stoma (experimental arm) or defunctioning stoma (standard arm). The study also includes a translational substudy. This study won the ESCP New Trials Prize in Vilnius 2023 and is ESCP-badged.