Radiation Proctitis: Current Strategies in Management

Radiation proctitis is a known complication following radiation therapy for pelvic malignancy. The majority of cases are treated nonsurgically, and an understanding of the available modalities is crucial in the management of these patients. In this paper, we focus on the current treatments of radiation proctitis

The NF-κB Inhibitor Curcumin Blocks Sepsis-Induced Muscle Proteolysis

We tested the hypothesis that treatment of rats with curcumin prevents sepsis-induced muscle protein degradation. In addition, we determined the influence of curcumin on different proteolytic pathways that are activated in septic muscle (i.e., ubiquitin-proteasome-, calpain-, and cathepsin L-dependent proteolysis) and examined the role of NF-κB and p38/MAP kinase inactivation in curcumin-induced inhibition of muscle protein breakdown. Rats were made septic by cecal ligation and puncture or were sham-operated. Groups of rats were treated with three intraperitoneal doses (600 mg/kg) of curcumin or corresponding volumes of solvent. Protein breakdown rates were measured as release of tyrosine from incubated extensor digitorum longus muscles. Treatment with curcumin prevented sepsis-induced increase in muscle protein breakdown. Surprisingly, the upregulated expression of the ubiquitin ligases atrogin-1 and MuRF1 was not influenced by curcumin. When muscles from septic rats were treated with curcumin in vitro, proteasome-, calpain-, and cathepsin L-dependent protein breakdown rates were reduced, and nuclear NF-κB/p65 expression and activity as well as levels of phosphorylated (activated) p38 were decreased. Results suggest that sepsis-induced muscle proteolysis can be blocked by curcumin and that this effect may, at least in part, be caused by inhibited NF-κB and p38 activities. The results also suggest that there is not an absolute correlation between changes in muscle protein breakdown rates and changes in atrogin-1 and MuRF1 expression during treatment of muscle wasting

Biological welding – novel technique in the treatment of esophageal metaplasia

Introduction: Biological welding – controlled action of high frequency current on living tissues, which leads to their structural changes and weld formation – connection with unique biological properties (strength, high elasticity, insensitivity to microbial infection, stimulating effect on the regeneration process, speed and quality which surpasses the normal uncomplicated healing) [22]. This method is used in various fields of surgery, but at the moment there is no data on its use in case of esophageal cylindrocellular (intestinal) metaplasia (further esophageal metaplasia or Barrett’s esophagus). Objective: The goal of this study is to evaluate biologic welding as a treatment option for patients with Barrett’s esophagus. Materials and methods: Single-center retrospective review of patients with short-segment Barrett’s esophagus and metaplasia were treated by argon plasma coagulation (APC) or Paton’s welding. This was followed by Nissen fundoplication. Primary outcome of this study was mucosal healing with morphological confirmation of the absence of metaplasia. The groups included patients with a short segment of the esophagus Barrett’s C2-3M3-4 (Prague Classification 2004) and high dysplasia without nodule formation in combination with hiatal hernia (VI World Congress of the International Society for Esophageal Diseases; ISED) [23–25]). Results: A total of 49 patients were included in the study with 25 patients treated by APC laser and 24 by biowelding. Four patients (16.0%) in the APC group developed stenosis and 5 patients (20.0%) developed recurrence compared to none in the biowelding group. Patients in the biowelding group had a significantly faster rate of mucosal healing leading to faster progression to Nissen fundoplication (at average 53 days) compared to APC laser group (surgery at 115 days). Conclusions: Biological welding of Paton’s is a safe and effective treatment option for patients with esophageal metaplasia

Antireflux surgery is required after endoscopic treatment for Barrett’s esophagus

Introduction: Barrett’s esophagus is an acquired condition that develops as a result of transformation of normal stratified squamous epithelium in the lower part of the esophagus into columnar epithelium. Barrett’s esophagus is considered to be a complication of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). Various endoscopic techniques have been shown to be successful in the treatment of this condition. However, long-term success in preventing further esophageal dysplasia is not clear. Biological welding consists in the application of controlled high-frequency current on living tissues and has been used to stop gastrointestinal bleeding, similarly to the APC technique which involves ablation of small intestinal metaplasia of the esophageal mucosa. Aim: The goal of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of endoscopic techniques in the treatment of Barrett’s esophagus and verify the need for a subsequent surgical intervention in patients with GERD complicated by Barrett’s esophagus. Material and methods: Patients with Barrett’s esophagus C1-3M2-4 (Prague classification from 2004) and high dysplasia without nodules, as well as patients with confirmed GERD without hiatal hernia, were included in this study. Endoscopic treatment was performed with the use of argonoplasmic coagulation (APC) and high-frequency welding of living tissues (HFW). After the examination the patients were re-examined. Patients with recurrence of metaplasia and high DeMeester score (˃ 100) underwent antireflux surgery – crurography and Nissen fundoplication with creation of a soft and short cuff.Results: A total of 89 patients were included in the study, 81 of whom were reexamined after ablation of Barrett’s esophagus.In 12 patients, a recurrence of intestinal metaplasia resembling the small intestine was identified. Implementation of two-stage treatment was required for 9 patients – it involved a second procedure of ablation of the esophagus, followed by antireflux surgery. Surgical treatment was refused by 3 patients, who underwent only the second ablation procedure. All patients received drug therapy, consisting of prokinetics and proton pump inhibitors. Esophageal pH monitoring was repeated 3 months after surgery, showing normalization of the DeMeester score. As a result, the patients experienced no complaints such as heartburn, chest pain or dysphagia, which significantly improved their quality of life. Esophagogastroduodenoscopy and biopsy of the mucous membrane of the lower third of the esophagus were performed in accordance with the Seattle Protocol. After examining histological specimens, no regions of metaplasia were identified. Conclusion: Antireflux surgery is required as a part of the treatment for Barrett’s esophagus, which prevents further dysplasia and development of esophageal cancer

Rozszerzona profilaktyka w leczeniu długotrwałej żylnej choroby zakrzepowo-zatorowej rywaroksabanem u pacjentów po poważnym zabiegu w obrębie miednicy i jamy brzusznej – omówienie bezpieczeństwa i wczesnych wyników

Wstęp: Żylna choroba zakrzepowo-zatorowa (ŻChZZ), będąca następstwem operacji jelita grubego, jest dobrze udokumentowanym powikłaniem, w związku z czym zaleca się rozszerzoną profilaktykę po wypisie ze szpitala. Rywaroksaban, będący inhibitorem aktywnego czynnika X, to podawana raz dziennie tabletka zatwierdzona w leczeniu ŻChZZ oraz profilaktyce po operacjach ortopedycznych. Cel: Celem badania jest ocena bezpieczeństwa rywaroksabanu w rozszerzonej profilaktyce u pacjentów po poważnym zabiegu w obrębie miednicy i jamy brzusznej. Metody: Dokonano retrospektywnej analizy pacjentów po poważnej operacji jelita grubego wykonanej w szpitalu regionalnym w Kijowie na Ukrainie. Chorzy otrzymali okołooperacyjną profilaktykę ŻChZZ w formie podskórnych iniekcji heparyny, a następnie rywaroksaban przez 30 dni. Odnotowano występowanie poważnego oraz niewielkiego krwawienia, przy czym konieczna była transfuzja krwi oraz ponowna interwencja. W 30. dniu po operacji pacjenci wzięli udział w wywiadzie telefonicznym w celu oceny przestrzegania zaleceń dotyczących przyjmowania leku oraz satysfakcji ze schematu leczenia. Wyniki: W badaniu udział wzięła grupa 51 pacjentów, których średni wiek wynosił 62,4 lat. W 71% przypadków zabieg dotyczył jamy brzusznej, w 29% miednicy, zaś w 59% operację wykonano laparoskopowo. Wystąpił jeden epizod poważnego krwawienia w obrębie jamy brzusznej, w którym konieczny był powrót do sali operacyjnej. Ponadto pojawiły się dwa epizody niewielkiego stopnia krwawienia, niewymagające interwencji. W badanej grupie nie stwierdzono zdarzeń ŻChZZ. Wskaźnik odpowiedzi na wywiad telefoniczny wyniósł 100%. Spośród wszystkich osób, jedna zgłosiła ukończenie pełnego cyklu leczenia rywaroksabanem. Pacjenci zgłaszali, że łatwo im było przestrzegać zaleceń profilaktyki doustnej i preferowali tę metodę w porównaniu do zastrzyków. Wniosek: Wdrożenie rozszerzonej profilaktyki rywaroksabanem jest łatwe, bezpieczne i nie prowadzi do zwiększenia częstości krwawienia pooperacyjnego

Implementation of extended prolonged venous thromboembolism prophylaxis with rivaroxaban after major abdominal and pelvic surgery – overview of safety and early outcomes

Purpose: Venous thromboembolism (VTE) after colorectal surgery is a well-documented complication, resulting in a general recommendation of extended post-discharge prophylaxis. Rivaroxaban, a factor Xa inhibitor, is a daily tablet approved for treatment of VTE and prophylaxis after orthopedic surgery. Aim: The purpose of this study is to evaluate the safety of rivaroxaban for extended prophylaxis after major abdominal and pelvic surgery. Methods: This is a retrospective review of patients undergoing major colorectal surgery at a regional hospital in Kiev, Ukraine. Patients received peri-operative VTE prophylaxis with subcutaneous heparin and then transitioned to rivaroxaban for a total of 30 days. Occurrences of major or minor bleeding, blood transfusion, and a need for re-intervention were noted. Phone surveys were administered on post-operative day 30 to assess compliance and satisfaction with the regimen. Results: A total of 51 patients were included in the study with an average age of 62.4 years. Seventy-one percent of the cases were abdominal, 29% were pelvic cases and 59% were done laparoscopically. There was one episode of major intra-abdominal bleeding requiring return to the operating room. There were 2 minor bleeding episodes which did not require intervention. There were no VTE events in the group. The phone survey response rate was 100%. All but one patient reported having completed the full course of rivaroxaban. Patients reported that oral prophylaxis was easy to adhere to and preferable compared to injections. Conclusion: Implementation of extended prophylaxis with rivaroxaban is easy, safe and does not increase rates of postoperative bleeding