Outcome of Modified Park's Technique for Treatment of Complex Anal Fistula.

BACKGROUND: Treatment of complex anal fistula (CAF) can be associated with high rates of recurrence and fecal incontinence (FI). Park suggested drainage of the affected intersphincteric anal gland for treatment of cryptoglandular anal fistula; however, recurrence after this technique was high. We modified the original Park's technique by extending the internal sphincterotomy to ensure adequate drainage of the intersphincteric space. The aim of this study was to evaluate the incidence of recurrence and FI after modified Park's technique in treatment of CAF. METHODS: Adult patients of both genders with CAF were evaluated before undergoing modified Park's technique with Wexner continence score, clinical examination, and endoanal ultrasonography or MRI. Postoperatively, patients were examined every 2 wk until complete wound healing. The continence state was evaluated with Wexner continence score, and quality of life was assessed before surgery and at 6 mo postoperatively by Short Form-36 questionnaire. RESULTS: Thirty-two patients (27 male) of a mean age of 38 y were included. Median follow-up was 12 mo. Two patients (6.25%) experienced recurrence and 5 (15.6%) developed complications. One patient (3.1%) developed new-onset FI postoperatively. Twenty-eight (87.5%) patients were completely satisfied with the procedure. Quality of life showed significant improvement at 6 mo postoperatively. CONCLUSIONS: The modified Park's technique is a promising procedure for the treatment of CAF with low recurrence and FI rates, and improved quality of life.

Correlation Between the Number of Ghrelin-Secreting Cells in the Gastric Fundus and Excess Weight Loss after Sleeve Gastrectomy.

BACKGROUND: Weight loss after laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy (LSG) has been mainly attributed to the restriction of gastric volume; however; other factors may contribute to weight loss after LSG. This study aimed to investigate the correlation between the number of ghrelin-secreting cells in the gastric fundus and excess weight loss (EWL) at 12 months after LSG. METHODS: The surface area of the gastric fundus was measured postoperatively in square centimeter. Histopathologic examination of the gastric fundus was made to estimate the number of ghrelin-secreting cells per square centimeter then was multiplied by the surface area of the fundus to calculate the total number of ghrelin-secreting cells in the fundus. The number of ghrelin-secreting cells was correlated with EWL and BMI at 12 months postoperatively. RESULTS: The present study included 39 patients of a mean age of 33.7 years. The mean %EWL at 12 months was 59.7 ± 12.7. The mean total number of ghrelin-producing cells in the gastric fundus was 26,228.4 ± 16,995.3. The total number of ghrelin-secreting cells had a weak positive correlation with BMI at 12 months (r = 0.2891, p = 0.07), and weak negative correlation with %EWL (r = - 0.1592, p = 0.33). CONCLUSION: There was a weak correlation between the total number of ghrelin-producing cells in the gastric fundus and plasma ghrelin levels with EWL after LSG.

Assessment of the Correlation Between Preoperative and Immediate Postoperative Gastric Volume and Weight Loss After Sleeve Gastrectomy Using Computed Tomography Volumetry.

BACKGROUND: Laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy (LSG) has achieved excellent results in treatment of morbid obesity. The present study aimed to evaluate the impact of the preoperative gastric volume, volume of the remaining gastric pouch, and volume of the resected stomach on weight loss after LSG. METHODS: Patients with morbid obesity who underwent LSG were investigated by CT volumetry before and 1 week after LSG to measure the volume of the stomach before and after the procedure, and the volume of the resected stomach was also calculated. The percentage of excess weight loss (EWL) and decrease in body mass index (BMI) at 6 months postoperatively were measured and correlated with preoperative and postoperative gastric volumes. RESULTS: Forty-seven patients (44 females) were included to the study. A significant decrease in the gastric volume and BMI after LSG was noted. Preoperative gastric volume was positively correlated with preoperative BMI (r = 0.723, p < 0.00001) but not correlated with %EWL at 6 months. The volume of the remaining gastric pouch was positively correlated with BMI at 6 months postoperatively (r = 0.597, p < 0.00001) and negatively correlated with %EWL (r = -0.7495, p < 0.00001). The correlation between the size of resected stomach and %EWL was statistically insignificant, yet the mean percentage of the resected stomach was directly correlated to %EWL. CONCLUSION: The preoperative volume of the stomach was positively correlated with baseline BMI, but not correlated with %EWL. The size of the remaining gastric pouch and the percentage of the resected stomach had significant impact on %EWL after LSG.