Video-assisted anal fistula treatment : pros and cons of this minimally invasive method for treatment of perianal fistulas

Purpose. The purpose of this paper is to present results of a single-center, nonrandomized, prospective study of the video-assisted anal fistula treatment (VAAFT). Methods. 68 consecutive patients with perianal fistulas were operated on using the VAAFT technique. 30 of the patients had simple fistulas, and 38 had complex fistulas. The mean follow-up time was 31 months. Results. The overall healing rate was 54.41% (37 of the 68 patients healed with no recurrence during the follow-up period). The results varied depending on the type of fistula. The success rate for the group with simple fistulas was 73.3%, whereas it was only 39.47% for the group with complex fistulas. Female patients achieved higher healing rates for both simple (81.82% versus 68.42%) and complex fistulas (77.78% versus 27.59%). There were no major complications. Conclusions. The results of VAAFT vary greatly depending on the type of fistula. The procedure has some drawbacks due to the rigid construction of the fistuloscope and the diameter of the shaft. The electrocautery of the fistula tract from the inside can be insufficient to close wide tracts. However, low risk of complications permits repetition of the treatment until success is achieved. Careful selection of patients is advised

Transanal endoscopic microsurgery combined with endoscopic posterior mesorectum resection in the treatment of patients with T1 rectal cancer : 3-year results

INTRODUCTION: Rectum-sparing transanal endoscopic microsurgery (TEM) is a well-established treatment for T1 rectal cancer (RC). However, it is associated with an increased rate of local recurrence in comparison with extended resection. In most cases this failure is linked to inappropriate case selection and the presence of clinically non-detectable metastases in the regional lymph nodes. Endoscopic posterior mesorectal resection (EPMR) makes it possible to remove the relevant lymphatic drainage of the lower third of the rectum in a minimally invasive way, which in turn can help in adequate tumor staging. AIM: To evaluate the long-term clinical results and influence of combined TEM and EPMR treatment on the anorectal functions. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Ten consecutive patients with T1 RC were operated on using TEM and EPMR as a two-stage procedure between 2007 and 2009. RESULTS: After a median follow-up of 42.6 (range: 36–80) months, none of our patients complained of symptoms of incontinence apart from one female patient with gas incontinence diagnosed preoperatively. There was no statistically significant difference in basal anal pressure, squeeze anal pressure, high pressure zone length or fecal continence assessed using the Fecal Incontinence Severity Index before and in follow-up months after the procedure. Postoperative morbidity consisted of one hematoma formation and one male patient complaining about sexual dysfunction until 6 months postoperatively. There was no evidence of locoregional recurrence. CONCLUSIONS: Endoscopic posterior mesorectal resection in combination with TEM appears to be safe, feasible and with no impact on the basic anorectal functions in the 3-year follow-up

Intraoperative neuromonitoring of hypogastric plexus branches during surgery for rectal cancer - preliminary report

Cel: Celem pracy jest przedstawienie własnych, wstępnych doświadczeń z zastosowaniem techniki śródoperacyjnego neuromonitoringu w trakcie wycięcia odbytnicy. Materiał i metody: Do zabiegu ze śródoperacyjnym neuromonitoringiem zakwalifikowano 4 pacjentów z rakiem odbytnicy (2 kobiety, 2 mężczyzn) w wieku od 42 do 53 lat. U wszystkich chorych przed zabiegiem przeprowadzono badania czynnościowe okolicy anorektalnej. Potencjały czynnościowe kompleksu zwieraczy wywołane stymulacją włókien nerwowych odczytywano z pomocą implantowanych przed zabiegiem elektrod. Ponadto do pęcherza moczowego zakładano standardowy cewnik Foleya nr 18, do którego podłączano trójnik rozdzielający odpływ moczu i przewód z podłączonym przekaźnikiem ciśnieniowym odczytującym zmiany ciśnienia w pęcherzu moczowym wskutek skurczów wypieracza pęcherza w trakcie stymulacji. Wyniki: Przygotowanie do neuromonitoringu wydłużyło czas zabiegu o 30–40 minut, a w przypadku dwóch pierwszych zabiegów o 60–80 minut. Faza neuromonitoringu w trakcie zabiegu zabiera dodatkowo 20 do 30 minut. U wszystkich chorych w trakcie preparowania przeprowadzono stymulacje gałęzi splotu podbrzusznego dolnego w ich anatomicznym położeniu. U trzech chorych uzyskano odpowiedź zarówno z pęcherza, jak i zwieracza we wszystkich płaszczyznach stymulacji. U jednego chorego stwierdzono brak odpowiedzi z pęcherza po stronie lewej. U tego chorego po zabiegu wystąpiły objawy pęcherza neurogennego. Wnioski: Bazując na dostępnej literaturze oraz naszych pierwszych doświadczeniach, stwierdzamy, że monitorowanie ciśnienia w pęcherzu moczowym oraz zapis sygnału elektromiograficznego ze zwieraczy umożliwia wizualizację i zaoszczędzenie struktur nerwowych układu autonomicznego, zarówno w części sympatycznej, jak i parasympatycznej. Sygnał uzyskany śródoperacyjnie wydaje się wykazywać korelacje z obrazem klinicznym i badaniami czynnościowymi po zabiegu. Celem obiektywizacji wyników niezbędne są badania czynnościowe przed i po zabiegu oraz ocena na większej liczbie chorych.Aim: The aim of this study was to present our preliminary experience with intraoperative neuromonitoring during rectal resection. Materials and methods: We qualified 4 patients (2 women, 2 men; age 42 – 53 years) with rectal cancer for surgery with intraoperative neuromonitoring. In all patients, functional tests of the anorectal area were performed before surgery. Action potentials from the sphincter complex in response to nerve fiber stimulation were recorded with electrodes implanted before surgery. Moreover, we inserted a standard, 18FR Foley’s urinary catheter to which a T-tube was connected to allow urine outflow and measurement of pressure changes in the bladder induced by detrusor contractions during stimulation. Results: Setting up neuromonitoring prolonged surgery time by 30 to 40 minutes, or even by 60 to 80 minutes in the case of the first two patients. Neuromonitoring itself took additional 20 to 30 minutes during surgery. In all patients, we stimulated branches of the inferior hypogastric plexus in their anatomical position during dissection. In three patients, we evoked responses both from the bladder and the sphincter in all planes of stimulation. In one patient, there was no response from the left side of the bladder, and in the same patient, we observed symptoms of neurogenic bladder. Conclusions: Based on the available literature and our own experience, we state that monitoring of bladder pressure and electromyographic signals from rectal sphincters enables visualization and preservation of autonomic nervous system structures, both sympathetic and parasympathetic. Intraoperative signals seem to be correlated with clinical presentation and functional examinations after surgery. In order to objectify our results, it is necessary to perform functional examinations before and after surgery in a larger group of patients

Does implantation of an artificial soft anal band provide an opportunity for improvement of biopsychosocial function in patients with severe fecal incontinence?

Introduction. Severe fecal incontinence describes a condition of complete loss of control over fundamental physiological functions and loss of abilities to fulfil psychosocial functions by the patients. The last-step procedure, that is, to restore hope for improvement of biopsychosocial functioning and quality of life determined by the patient’s health status is implantation of an artificial anal sphincter. Objective. The study was a comparative analysis of the effect of the employed surgical procedure upon the degree of defecation control and quality of life indices in its behavioral, mental, and social aspects prior to and 3, 6, and 12 months postoperatively. The analysis also included the effect of the patient’s individual style of coping with stress and the functional outcome of the procedure. Material and Methods. The study included a group of 12 patients: 6 females and 6 males, aged from 36 to 60 years of life. The tools consisted of scoring systems that measured symptom intensity (FISI and Jorge and Wexner scale). In assessing the psychosocial functioning, the authors employed the Fecal Incontinence Quality of Life Scale (by Rockwood). The individual mode of coping with the disease was evaluated by using the CISS scale by Endler and Parker. Conclusions. The analysis of results demonstrated that the procedure of implanting an artificial anal sphincter affected the “continence” (up to 50–60% postoperatively) and led to improvement in psychosocial functioning in all its assessed aspects, i.e., lifestyle, employment of precautionary measures, depression, anxiety, and embarrassment. It was also noted that due to the specific character of the procedure (the necessity to operate an artificial implant), better mean results in assessment of the procedure functionality were achieved by patients presenting the goal-concentrated mode rather than emotions-concentrated mode of coping with the disease. Thus, it seems justified to state that assessment of biopsychological functioning may be a good criterion of the procedure effectiveness

Geriatric Assessment as a qualification element for elective and emergency cholecystectomy in older patients

BACKGROUND: Older patients experience a higher incidence of postoperative complications after cholecystectomy compared with younger patients. However, most studies have not considered patient frailty, particularly regarding emergency cholecystectomy. The aim of this prospective study was to evaluate outcomes in frail older patients eligible for elective and emergency cholecystectomy. METHODS: Preoperative Geriatric Assessment (GA) was performed in consecutive patients aged 65+ years, operated for biliary disease. The GA evaluated the functional, cognitive, comorbidity, depressive, nutritional, and polypharmacy status and patients with two or more abnormal domains were considered frail. Outcomes of interest were 30-day postoperative mortality, morbidity, and length of hospital stay (LOS). RESULTS: A total of 126 patients (median age 74; range 65–93 years) were included. There was no difference between elective frail and non-frail patients regarding postoperative mortality (0 %) and morbidity (6 % vs. 5 %; p = 0.76). LOS was not significantly longer in the frail group (5.6 vs. 4 days; p = 0.22). In the emergency-admitted patients, almost all complications occurred in the frail population (mortality 5 % vs. 0 %; morbidity 36.7 % vs. 3.3 %, compared with non-frail patients, respectively; p < 0.01) and LOS was significantly longer (10.3 (frail) vs. 6 days (non-frail);p = 0.03). Frail status was a significant independent predictive factor for postoperative complications in the emergency population, only (odds ratio: 3.4 (1.2–9.7); p = 0.02). CONCLUSIONS: Elective laparoscopic cholecystectomy is a safe and effective surgical technique also for older frail patients. In emergency settings, frail patients have significantly more complications and a longer LOS. However, the role of severity of frailty and the most reliable GA tools require further study. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ISRCTN14976998 (retrospectively registered

Implantation of autologous muscle-derived stem cells in treatment of fecal incontinence : results of an experimental pilot study

Background The aim of this study is to present results of the implantation of autologous myoblasts into the external anal sphincter (EAS) in ten patients with fecal incontinence. Methods After anatomical and functional assessment of the patients’ EAS, a vastus lateralis muscle open biopsy was performed. Stem cells were extracted from the biopsy specimens and cultured in vitro. Cell suspensions were then administered to the EAS. Patients were scheduled for follow-up visits in 6-week intervals. Total follow-up was 12 months. Results All biopsy and cell implantation procedures were performed without complications. Nine of the patients completed a full 12-month follow-up. There was subjective improvement in six patients (66.7 %). In manometric examinations 18 weeks after implantation, squeeze anal pressures and high-pressure zone length increased in all patients, with particularly significant sphincter function recovery in five patients (55.6 %). Electromyographic (EMG) examination showed an increase in signal amplitude in all patients, detecting elevated numbers of propagating action potentials. Twelve months after implantation two patients experienced deterioration of continence, which was also reflected in the deterioration of manometric and EMG parameters. The remaining four patients (44.4 %) still described their continence as better than before implantation and retained satisfactory functional examination parameters. Conclusions Implantation of autologous myoblasts gives good short-term results not only in a subjective assessment, but also in objective functional tests. It seems that this promising technology can improve the quality of life of patients with fecal incontinence, but further study is required to achieve better and more persistent results