INTRODUCTION: To clarify the significance of anal canal sensitivity contribution to soiling in patients after ileal J pouch-anal anastomosis (IPAA) for ulcerative colitis (UC), we studied the sensory function of the anal canal. METHODS: Forty patients with UC who had undergone IPAA with ileostomy closure at least 60 to 132 ...

PURPOSE: Anal fissure is a common problem affecting all age groups with an equal incidence in both sexes. Traditional surgical treatments, like manual anal dilatation or a sphincterotomy, effectively heal most fissures within a few weeks but such procedures may result in anal incontinence. In recent years, various medical therapies ...

BACKGROUND: The introduction of circular staplers into colorectal surgery has revolutionized anastomotic techniques stretching the limits of sphincter preservation. Data on the double-stapling technique (DST) has been widely published in the West where the incidence of colorectal cancer is high. However studies using this technique and their results, in the ...

PURPOSE: The transanal endorectal pull-through (TERPT) is becoming the most popular procedure in the treatment of Hirschsprung disease (HD), but overstretching of the anal sphincters remains a critical issue that may impact the continence. This study examined the long-term outcome of TERPT versus conventional transabdominal (ABD) pull-through for HD. METHODS: ...

BACKGROUND: The use of loop ileostomy or loop transverse colostomy represents an important issue in colorectal surgery. Despite a slight preference for a loop ileostomy as a temporary stoma, the best form for temporary decompression of colorectal anastomosis still remains controversial. OBJECTIVES: To assess the evidence in the use of ...

PURPOSE: Short-term and mid-term outcomes of stapled hemorrhoidopexy (SH) were compared with those for Ferguson hemorrhoidectomy (FH) for treating hemorrhoids. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Patients with prolapsed hemorrhoids were randomized into two groups treated with SH (N = 300) and FH (N = 296) at Chang Gung Memorial Hospital at Chiayi ...

PURPOSE: Previous studies identified reduction in pain and complications with stapled hemorrhoidopexy relative to conventional hemorrhoidectomy. Previously, the presence of resected squamous epithelium and a staple line height <20 mm above the dentate line were predictive of postoperative pain. The purpose of this study was to further investigate and refine ...

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to evaluate the subjective anorectal function in patients with left hemicolectomy and to clarify the clinical factors influencing postoperative anorectal function problems. MATERIALS AND METHODS: One hundred and twenty one patients who underwent left hemicolectomy from April 2002 to December 2003 were enrolled ...

PURPOSE: The objective of this study was to compare the efficacy of 0.25 percent glycerin trinitrate ointment in association with cryothermal anal dilators with 0.25 percent glycerin trinitrate ointment only and cryothermal anal dilators only. METHODS: A total of 48 patients suffering from chronic anal fissure were enrolled in this ...

OBJECTIVE: To optimize forearm radiocephalic fistula success, many programs recommend a minimal cephalic vein diameter of 0.25 cm or greater on preoperative sonographic mapping. It is not established, however, whether a vein diameter before or after application of a tourniquet should be used in determining suitability for creation of a ...

AIM: The objective was to study the clinical presentation and outcome of intussusceptions prolapsing rectally. METHODS: A retrospective analysis was done of 198 children who presented with intussusception at a single institution over a 5-year period. Of this group, the data of children with intussusception prolapsing rectally was studied. RESULTS: ...

PURPOSE: The long-term efficacy of Surgisis anal fistula plug in closure of cryptoglandular anorectal fistulas was studied. METHODS: Patients with high cryptoglandular anorectal fistulas were prospectively studied. Additional variables recorded were: number of fistula tracts, and presence of setons. Under general anesthesia and in prone jackknife position, patients underwent irrigation ...

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to show the outcomes of primary surgical repair of obstetric vesicovaginal fistula repairs in Niger, Africa. STUDY DESIGN: From October 2003 to April 2005, 90 patients were examined with vesicovaginal fistulas and no previous repair. Fistulas were variable in location and degree of ...

After pelvic pouch surgery (restorative proctocolectomy), periodic or continuous diarrhea is common. Distressing diarrhea may be triggered by pouchitis, cuffitis or an anastomotic stricture. Medical therapy with loperamide or diphenoxylate is often unsatisfactory even after the correction of the underlying problem. Seven patients, who earlier had undergone restorative proctocolectomy, were ...

BACKGROUND: This study was designed to assess the safety and effectiveness of stapled transanal rectal resection (STARR) and to compare the results of two staplers. STUDY DESIGN: From February 2001 to June 2005, 37 patients diagnosed with obstructive defecation syndrome were treated with the STARR technique. We analyzed variables related ...

OBJECTIVE: Stapled rectal mucosectomy (SM) is less painful than manual haemorrhoidectomy but may be followed by unusual complications which may require reinterventions. The aim of the present study was to report on a particular postoperative complication, the rectal pocket syndrome (RPS). METHODS: Six patients, four females and two males, five ...

BACKGROUND/AIMS: To compare the functional outcome of ultra-low anterior resection for rectal cancer with colonic J-pouch reconstruction with that of straight reconstruction. METHODOLOGY: Twenty-three patients who underwent ultra-low anterior resection with or without J-pouch reconstruction underwent bowel transit study, videodefecography, and answered a questionnaire survey 4 months and 1 year ...

BACKGROUND: Restorative proctocolectomy is the treatment of choice for pediatric patients with refractory colitis, inherited polyposis syndromes, and some with colonic aganglionosis. Evidence concerning the optimal method of reconstruction is, however, sparse. METHODS: Studies comparing outcomes from ileal pouch-anal anastomosis (IPAA) and straight ileoanal anastomosis (SIAA) were identified by searching ...

AIM: To investigate the efficacy of topical application of 0.5% nifedipine ointment in healing acute anal fissue and preventing its progress to chronicity. METHODS: Thirty-one patients (10 males, 21 females) with acute anal fissure from September 1999 to January 2005 were treated topically with 0.5% nifedipine ointment (t.i.d.) for 8 ...

PURPOSE: A remarkable incidence of failures after stapled axopexy (SA) for hemorrhoids has been recently reported by several papers, with an incomplete resection of the prolapsed tissue, due to the limited volume of the stapler casing as possible cause. The stapled transanal rectal resection (STARR) was demonstrated to successfully cure ...

BACKGROUND/PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to compare the results of 2 procedures of transanal pull-through for the management of rectosigmoid Hirschsprung's disease. METHODS: Twenty-one consecutive children with rectal or rectosigmoid Hirschsprung's disease were operated on between November 1999 and April 2003, in two pediatric surgical departments (Dijon and ...

OBJECTIVE: To compare local resection of early rectal tumours by transanal endoscopic microsurgery (TEM) and the conventional posterior trans-sphincteric approach (Mason's operation). METHODS: The study group comprised 31 consecutive patients with early rectal tumours (18 villous adenomas, 13 adenocarcinomas) who underwent TEM in Kwong Wah Hospital, Hong Kong. The control ...

BACKGROUND: Adhesions can result in serious clinical complications and make ileostomy closure, which is relatively simple procedure into a complicated and prolonged one. The use of sodium hyaluronate and carboxymethyl cellulose membrane (Seprafilm) was proven to significantly reduce the postoperative adhesions at the site of application. The aim of this ...

BACKGROUND: Conflicting views regarding the use of ileorectal anastomosis (IRA) in ulcerative colitis (UC) exist and this controversy prompted us to review our experience, especially against the background of the current tendency to choose the ileal pouch-anal procedure (IPAA). METHODS: Thirty-two consecutive patients with IRA were studied. Complications, failure rate, ...

PURPOSE: This is a meta-analysis of randomized, controlled trials to compare the function and complications of a straight coloanal anastomosis to a colonic J-pouch after rectal excision at 1 year postoperatively. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A search for articles from 1980 to 2005 was conducted on Medline, PubMed, and the Cochrane ...

BACKGROUND: Anal stenosis is a common proctologic disease often caused from hemorrhoids surgery. Treatments adopted are many and varied. In this study we applied radiofrequencies to the classic Y-V anoplasty operation and reported results obtained. METHODS: Eligibility criteria consisted of patients affected by anal stenosis. Exclusion criteria were those with ...

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the diagnostic value of the distance between external opening of perianal fistula and anal verge and to evaluate its relation to the type of fistula. Preoperative identification of complex fistulae is important for proper planning of treatment. PATIENTS AND METHODS: One hundred and fifteen consecutive patients operated ...

BACKGROUND/AIMS: The aim of this study was to identify risk factors for anastomotic leakage in patients that have received a resection for rectal cancer. METHODOLOGY: Between January 1996 and December 2002, 499 patients underwent rectal resection for rectal cancer performed by the same surgeon, and of these 25 patients developed ...

BACKGROUND: We investigated the incidence of postoperative complications in patients treated with or without preoperative leukocyte removal therapy (LRT). METHODS: The case notes of 387 patients with ulcerative colitis (UC) who underwent surgical intervention were retrospectively reviewed. One hundred nine patients were treated with LRT within 8 weeks before surgery ...

PURPOSE: Abdominal rectopexy is the preferred surgical technique for the treatment of total rectal prolapse. In many reported series, its results are impaired by induced constipation. Lateral rectal ligaments preservation could prevent constipation but increase recurrence rates. We report anatomic and functional results of abdominal Orr-Loygue ventral rectopexy with dissection ...

AIM: To determine the efficacy and safety of sitz baths in the management of acute anal fissures. METHOD: Individual patients were randomized to either receive sitz baths or no sitz baths for 4 weeks in addition to oral psyllium husk. Patients were asked to soak their hips and buttocks in ...

BACKGROUND AND AIM: Data on maximum resting pressure (MRP) and maximum squeeze pressure (MSP) changes after hemorrhoidectomy are not univocal and follow-up of patients undergoing surgery is mostly short-lived. The aim of this study was to prospectively examine during 1-year follow-up the long-term manometric results of MRP, MSP, and ultra ...

BACKGROUND: The main objections against circular stapled mucosectomy have been anal pain and rectal bleeding during the surgical procedure or in the immediate postoperative follow-up. To avoid these consequences, a new stapler (PPH33-03) has been developed. The aim of this trial was to compare the intraoperative and short-term postoperative morbidity ...

BACKGROUND: Introduction of stapled hemorrhoidopexy by Longo in 1998 represented a radical change in the treatment of hemorrhoids. By avoiding multiple excisions and suture lines in the perianal region, stapled hemorrhoidopexy is intended to offer less postoperative pain than with conventional techniques. OBJECTIVE: To report and analyze the intra and ...

OBJECTIVE: Defunctioning loop ileostomies are used commonly to protect low colorectal anastomoses and thereby reducing the serious complications of leakage. However, they are associated with specific complications such as retraction. Traditionally, a supporting rod is placed as a bridge to support both limbs of the stoma in the hope of ...

BACKGROUND: The goal of this study was to compare the outcomes of advancement flap (AF) versus fistulotomy with sphincter reconstruction (FSR) for primary complex fistula-in-ano in terms of recurrence and anal function. METHODS: A randomized clinical trial was conducted to compare AF with FSR. Preoperative and postoperative evaluation included physical ...

Although serologic testing for perinuclear antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibodies (pANCA) and anti-Saccharomyces cerevisiae antibodies (ASCA) is reportedly useful in distinguishing ulcerative colitis (UC) from Crohn's disease (CD), there are few and conflicting reports assessing their utility in predicting postoperative complications after ileal pouch-anal anastomosis (IPAA). We examined the associations between postoperative ...

Patients presenting with megacolon and megarectum require extensive specialized testing to distinguish underlying Hirschsprung's disease from other secondary causes. Diagnostic testing and long-term treatment are best initiated after disimpaction has been achieved, by large-volume tap water enemas and/or oral colonic lavage with polyethylene glycol. With intensive treatment (including biofeedback if ...

BACKGROUND: Anatomic anal sphincter defects can involve the internal anal sphincter (IAS), the external anal sphincter (EAS), or both muscles. Surgical repair of anteriorly located EAS defects consists of overlapping suture of the EAS or EAS imbrication; IAS imbrication can be added regardless of whether there is IAS injury. The ...

BACKGROUND: Chronic anal fissure is the most common cause of anal pain associated with internal anal sphincter hypertonia. Reduction of hypertonia favours fissure healing. Temporary reduction in sphincter tone can be achieved by conservative treatment. Surgical sphincterotomy achieves permanent reduction of sphincter hypertonia and is very successful at healing anal ...

INTRODUCTION: Pharmacologic anal sphincter relaxants promote fissure healing; however, their effect is transient and the risk of late recurrence remains uncertain. METHODS: From August 1997 to August 2002, patients with chronic anal fissure attending our outpatient clinic were treated with a protocol that included: topical isosorbide dinitrate, 2.5 mg, or ...

OBJECTIVES: Anal advancement flaps treat a variety of anal disorders. In recent years the "House" advancement flap has been used with good success, the term referring to the shape of the flap used. It is simple with few shortcomings. We reviewed a single centre's experience of this procedure. METHODS: All ...

PURPOSE: Topical nitroglycerin has been widely used as a means for avoiding surgery in patients with anal fissure. However, nitroglycerin has not been universally accepted for this application because of inconsistency of efficacy and side effects. This study compares conventional digital application with precise intra-anal dosing of nitroglycerin using a ...

BACKGROUND: The repair of choice for persistent rectal prolapse (PRP) in children is disputed. Laparoscopic suture rectopexy (LSRP) is effective in adults, but its usefulness in pediatric PRP is unknown. We compared LSRP with posterosagittal rectopexy (PSRP). METHODS: Sixteen children, with a median age of 6.5 years (range, 0.8-16.8) and ...

PURPOSE: To compare efficacy in terms of pathologic response in LARC patients treated with preoperative chemoradiation, with or without a short-intense course of induction oxaliplatin. PATIENTS AND METHODS: From 05/98 to 10/02, 114 patients were treated with preoperative chemoradiation (4500-5040 cGy + oral Tegafur 1200 mg/day) for cT(3)-(4)N(+/x)M(0) rectal cancer. ...

PURPOSE: This study was designed to evaluate the clinical and physiologic outcomes after transvaginal rectocele repair. METHODS: Between June 2000 and January 2003, 30 females (mean age, 62 (range, 45-78) years) with a symptomatic large rectocele (>3 cm) underwent transvaginal rectocele repair (anterior levatorplasty). Six months after surgery, a physiologic ...

PURPOSE: This study was designed to investigate the influence of intraoperative and postoperative radiotherapy on functional outcome after rectal resection for rectal cancer. METHODS: One hundred patients who underwent deep or standard anterior resection for rectal cancer were included in this follow-up study. All patients filled out questionnaires regarding morbidity ...

OBJECTIVE: To compare safety and short-term outcomes of 100 laparoscopic ileal pouch-anal anastomosis (IPAA) versus 200 conventional open IPAA patients. SUMMARY BACKGROUND DATA: Outcomes of laparoscopic IPAA (LAP-IPAA) have been incompletely characterized. Previous reports are characterized by small numbers of patients and rarely include case-matched or randomized trial methodology. This ...

BACKGROUND: There is no general consensus regarding the timing of restorative proctocolectomy (RPC) in patients who have undergone subtotal colectomy with end ileostomy (STC). The aim of this study was to determine the impact of timing of RPC in patients who have undergone subtotal colectomy and end ileostomy for inflammatory ...

PURPOSE: A randomized study was performed to assess whether new technologies offer advantages over the conventional technique on the clinical and functional outcome of patients with full-thickness rectal prolapse and fecal incontinence, submitted to Altemeier's procedure with levatorplasty. METHODS: Between January 1999 and December 2003, 58 patients (55 females; mean ...