[Chronic pancreatitis : Characterization and differentiation from pancreatic cancer]. / Chronische Pankreatitis : Charakterisierung und Differenzierung zum Pankreaskarzinom.

CLINICAL/METHODOLOGICAL ISSUE: Chronic pancreatitis (CP) is a long-lasting inflammation of the pancreas that changes the normal structure and function of the organ. There are a wide range of inflammatory pancreatic diseases, of which some entities, such as focal pancreatitis (FP) or "mass-forming pancreatitis," can mimic pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC). As a consequence, a misdiagnosis can lead to avoidable and unnecessary surgery or delay of therapy. STANDARD RADIOLOGICAL METHODS: The initial imaging method used in pancreatic diseases is ultrasound due to its availability and low cost, followed by contrast-enhanced computed tomography (CE-CT), which is considered a workhorse in the diagnostic work-up of diseases of the pancreas. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and/or MR cholangiopancreatography (MRCP) can be used as a problem-solving tool to distinguish between solid and cystic lesions, and to rule out abnormalities in the pancreatic ducts, such as those associated with recurrent acute pancreatitis (AP) or to show early signs of CP. MRCP has essentially replaced diagnostic endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) in the initial assessment before any therapeutic intervention. PRACTICAL RECOMMENDATION: The following review article summarizes the relevant features of CT and MRI that can help to make the diagnosis of CP and to aid in the differentiation between focal pancreatitis and PDAC, even in difficult cases.

German National Guideline on the management of pilonidal disease: update 2020.

BACKGROUND: The present German National Guideline is an updated version of previous Guideline published in 2014. It aims to compare various treatment methods and to assist physicians with evidence-based recommendations. METHODS: Systemic literature review. RESULTS: Three types of disease manifestation could be differentiated: asymptomatic disease, an acute abscess, and the chronic pilonidal disease. At present, there is no treatment method fulfilling all desired criteria: simple, painless procedure associated with rapid wound healing, and low recurrence rate. Thus, treatment modality should be tailored to disease manifestation and extent. CONCLUSION: Asymptomatic pilonidal disease should not be treated. A pilonidal abscess should be unroofed. After resolution of the acute inflammation, the disease should be treated definitely. As for today, sinus excision is the standard treatment of the chronic pilonidal disease. Wide excision and open treatment of chronic disease is a safe procedure which, however, leads to prolonged secondary healing and time off-work, as well as to considerable recurrence rate. The extent of excision should be as limited as possible. Excision and midline wound closure is associated with impaired outcomes. Today, it has become obsolete. Minimally invasive procedures (e.g., pit picking surgery) represent a treatment option for chronic pilonidal disease. However, the recurrence rate is higher compared to excision procedures. Nevertheless, they may be used for small primary disease. Off-midline procedures should be used for disease not suitable for minimally invasive treatments. The Limberg flap and the Karydakis procedure are two best described methods which are associated with similar short- and long-term results.

[Differential diagnosis of hemorrhoidal disease]. / Differenzialdiagnose des Hämorrhoidalleidens.

Hemorrhoidal disease is one of the most common illnesses in industrialized nations. Up to 70% of adults suffer from the disease once in their lifetime. This underlines the necessity and importance of knowing about the differential diagnosis of hemorrhoids. One can differentiate between differential diagnoses of symptoms (bleeding, pain, itching, tumor) and differential diagnoses of the phenotype findings (anal prolapse, mucosal prolapse and rectal prolapse, skin tags, hypertrophied anal papillae, condylomata acuminata, anal fissure, perianal venous thrombosis, anal cancer).

Results of the Gore Bio-A fistula plug implantation in the treatment of anal fistula: a multicentre study.

BACKGROUND: The aim of this prospective study was to determine the efficiency of the Gore Bio-A synthetic plug in the treatment of anal fistulas. METHODS: A synthetic bioabsorbable anal fistula plug was implanted in 60 patients. All fistulas were transsphincteric and cryptoglandular in origin. RESULTS: The healing rate after 1 year of follow-up was 52 % (31 out of 60 patients). No patient was lost to follow-up. The treatment had no effect on the incontinence score. The plug dislodgement rate was 10 % (6 out of 60 patients). Thirty-four per cent of the patients (16 out of 47) required reoperation. The average operating time was 32 ± 10.2 min, and the average length of hospital stay was 3.3 ± 1.8 days. CONCLUSIONS: Synthetic plugs may be an alternative to bioprosthetic fistula plugs in the treatment of transsphincteric anal fistulas. This method might have better success rates than treatment with bioprosthetic fistula plugs.

German national guideline on the management of pilonidal disease.

PURPOSE: The present national guideline aims to provide recommendations for physicians involved in the treatment of patients with pilonidal disease. It has been published previously as an extended version in German language. METHODS: This is a systemic literature review. The present guideline was reviewed and accepted by an expert panel in a consensus conference. RESULTS: Some of the present guideline conclusions were based on low- to moderate-quality trials. Therefore, an agreement was necessary in those cases to provide recommendations. However, recommendations regarding the most frequently used surgical procedures were based on numerous prospective randomized trials. CONCLUSIONS: An asymptomatic pilonidal disease does not require treatment. A pilonidal abscess should be incised. After regression of the acute inflammation, a definitive treatment method should be applied. An excision is the standard treatment method for the chronic pilonidal disease. Open wound healing is associated with a low postoperative morbidity rate; however, it is complicated by a long healing time. The minimally invasive procedures (e.g., pit picking surgery) represent a potential treatment option for a limited chronic pilonidal disease. However, the recurrence rate is higher compared to open healing. Excision followed by a midline wound closure is associated with a considerable recurrence rate and increased incidence of wound complications and should therefore be abandoned. Off-midline procedures can be adopted as a primary treatment option in chronic pilonidal disease. At present, there is no evidence of any outcome differences between various off-midline procedures. The Limberg flap and the Karydakis flap are most thoroughly analyzed off-midline procedures.

The value of dynamic magnetic resonance imaging in interdisciplinary treatment of pelvic floor dysfunction.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to determine the value of dynamic pelvic floor MRI relative to standard clinical examinations in treatment decisions made by an interdisciplinary team of specialists in a center for pelvic floor dysfunction. METHODS: 60 women were referred for dynamic pelvic floor MRI by an interdisciplinary team of specialists of a pelvic floor center. All patients were clinically examined by an urologist, gynecologist, a proctological, and colorectal surgeon. The specialists assessed individually and in consensus, whether (1) MRI provides important additional information not evident by physical examination and in consensus whether (2) MRI influenced the treatment strategy and/or (3) changed management or the surgical procedure. RESULTS: MRI was rated essential to the treatment decision in 22/50 cases, leading to a treatment change in 13 cases. In 12 cases, an enterocele was diagnosed by MRI but was not detected on physical exam. In 4 cases an enterocele and in 2 cases a rectocele were suspected clinically but not confirmed by MRI. In 4 cases, MRI proved critical in assessment of rectocele size. Vaginal intussusception detected on MRI was likewise missed by gynecologic exam in 1 case. CONCLUSION: MRI allows diagnosis of clinically occult enteroceles, by comprehensively evaluating the interaction between the pelvic floor and viscera. In nearly half of cases, MRI changed management or the surgical approach relative to the clinical evaluation of an interdisciplinary team. Thus, dynamic pelvic floor MRI represents an essential component of the evaluation for pelvic floor disorders.

[Complication management following hemorrhoid operations]. / Komplikationsmanagement bei Hämorrhoidenoperationen.

BACKGROUND: Hemorrhoid operations are performed frequently in Germany. After the operation severe complications can occur that require appropriate management. OBJECTIVE: Presentation of current complications and suitable therapeutic options. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Data including operative procedures and complications that have been collected in an electronic online-based survey of all resident, affiliated and private practice German surgeons during the period from 1 December 2009 to 31 January 2010 are presented. A review of the current literature in a PubMed search is given. RESULTS: Stapled hemorrhoidopexy has several benefits during the early postoperative phase in comparison to conventional hemorrhoidectomy; however, patients should be informed about the possibility of postoperative defecation disorders, elevated recurrence and reoperation rates and rare life-threatening complications. CONCLUSION: The aim should be to keep risks at a low level by means of prevention, patient selection, careful analysis of indications and relevant expertise. In cases of complications early recognition and direct initiation of adequate treatment are crucial.

Combined approach in the treatment of chronic anal fissures.

This study was designed to evaluate the healing and complications rates in surgically and conservatively treated patients with chronic anal fissure. Conservative treatment consisted of nitrate or diltiazem ointment. In case of surgery, fissurectomy was performed. In total, 340 patients were included in the study. Among them, 162 patients had surgery and 178 patients had conservative treatment. The healing rate at surgically treated group of patients varied between 95 and 98% depending on previous treatment. Group treated with nitrate ointment and group treated with diltiazem ointment showed, respectively 62% and 52% healing rates. Difference between ointments was not statistically significant. Average healing time was between 105 and 123 days and complication rates were between 1.7 and 5.4%. The surgical treatment showed much higher healing rates and thus should recommended as primary treatment option for the chronic anal fissure, especially if there are chronic secondary lesions already present. In case of conservative treatment, either nitrate or diltiazem ointment could be used with similar efficacy.

Prospective pilot study of anorectal fistula closure with the OTSC Proctology.

AIM: The OTSC Proctology is a surgical device for anorectal fistula closure. It consists of a super-elastic nitinol clip, which is placed (with the aid of a transanal applicator) on the internal fistula opening to achieve healing of the fistula track. A prospective, two-centre clinical pilot study was undertaken to assess the efficacy and safety of the OTSC Proctology in patients with a complex high anorectal fistula. METHOD: In patients with a complex anorectal fistula the primary track was debrided using a special brush and the clip was applied to the internal fistula opening. After 6 months the postoperative clinical course and fistula healing were assessed. RESULTS: Twenty patients with a cryptoglandular anorectal fistula (14 with a transsphincteric fistula and six with a suprasphincteric fistula) were included in the study. There were no intra-operative technical or surgical complications. Postoperatively no patient reported intolerable discomfort or a sensation of a foreign body in the anal region. At 6 months after surgery, 18 (90%) patients had no clinical signs or symptoms of fistula and were considered healed, whereas in two the fistula persisted. In 13 (72%) of these 18 patients, the clip was still in place without causing problems, whereas in three patients the clip had spontaneously detached. In the two remaining patients it was necessary to remove the clip due to discomfort and delayed wound healing. CONCLUSION: Anorectal fistula closure with the OTSC Proctology is an innovative, sphincter-preserving minimally invasive procedure with promising initial results and a high rate of patient satisfaction.

[Standard wrist arthroscopy: technique and documentation]. / Die standardisierte Arthroskopie des Handgelenks: Technik und Dokumentation.

OBJECTIVE: Minimally invasive approach to the wrist in order to diagnose and treat different wrist pathologies. INDICATIONS: Diagnosis of unclear chronic pain syndromes, cartilage status, intra-articular ligament structures as well as post-traumatic and inflammatory conditions of the wrist. Treatment of ulnar impaction syndrome, dorsal ganglia and also in fracture treatment and various different wrist interventions. CONTRAINDICATIONS: Soft tissue infections around the wrist, severe scarring may impede access to the joint. SURGICAL TECHNIQUE: Supine position with the forearm upright and in neutral position, the elbow flexed by 90°, axial traction of 3-4 kg. Superficial stab incision, blunt preparation through joint capsule, insertion of optic through 3-4 portal and probe through 4-5 portal, and radial and ulnar midcarpal portals, respectively. Either sodium chloride, CO2 or air is used as arthroscopy medium. Diagnostic round with standardized examination of all parts of the joint. Standardized written and high quality photo and/or video documentation to facilitate understandability of the findings. POSTOPERATIVE MANAGEMENT: Forearm cast for 1 week, limited load for 2 more weeks, then load is increased to normal.

Review of sacral neuromodulation for management of constipation.

BACKGROUND: Sacral neuromodulation (SN) is an emerging treatment for constipation. This review evaluates the mechanism of action, techniques, efficacy, and adverse effects of SN in the management of constipation. METHODS: Electronic searches for studies describing the use of SN were performed in PubMed, MEDLINE and Embase. Abstracts were reviewed and full text copies of all relevant articles obtained. RESULTS: Fifty-nine results were obtained on the initial searches. Ten studies discussed the results of SN in patients with constipation. A total of 225 temporary neuromodulations and 125 permanent implants were performed. Bowel diaries showed improvement in assessment criteria in more than 50% of patients on temporary neuromodulation and the results were maintained in approximately 90% of patients who underwent permanent implantation over medium to long-term follow-up. The rate of adverse effects was high, but the majority of them were related to electrode position. Improvements in transit studies and anorectal physiology after neuromodulation were noted in some studies. The recognized limitations included a lack of randomized studies and an inability to perform meta-analysis. CONCLUSION: Sacral neuromodulation may be an effective treatment in selected patients with constipation and should be a part of the management repertoire. Improvement in defecatory frequency with temporary wire placement is a good predictor of subsequent response following permanent implant. Further research into predictive factors for success would improve patient selection.

Dosage finding for low-dose spinal anaesthesia using hyperbaric prilocaine in patients undergoing perianal outpatient surgery.

BACKGROUND: Hyperbaric prilocaine 20 mg/ml may be preferable for perianal outpatient surgery. The aim of this prospective, single-centre, randomised, single-blinded, controlled clinical trial was to determine the optimal dosage of hyperbaric prilocaine 20 mg/ml for a spinal anaesthesia (SPA) in patients undergoing perianal outpatient surgery. METHODS: One hundred and twenty patients (18-80 years/American Society of Anesthesiologists grade I-III) were enrolled in this study. The patients were randomised to receive 10, 20 or 30 mg of prilocaine for SPA. We measured expansion of the sensory and motor block, evaluated times to walk, void and being eligible for discharge, and determined the demand of analgesics. RESULTS: 116/120 patients were available for analysis. The expansion of the sensory block gained with an increasing dosage: 10 mg: 3(1-6) dermatomes; 20 mg: 4(2-6) dermatomes; 30 mg: 5(3-7) dermatomes (P < 0.0001). Dermatomes were counted upwards beginning with S(5). Also, the motor block gained with an increased dosage (Bromage score 1-3: 10 mg: n = 3, 20 mg: n = 8 and 30 mg: n = 18, P = 0.0002). Patients receiving 10 mg were ready for discharge earlier compared with both other groups (10 mg: 199 ± 39 min; 20 mg: 219 ± 47 min; 30 mg: 229 ± 32 min, P = 0.0039). Pain occurred earlier in the 10 mg group than in the 30 mg group (10 mg: 168 ± 36 min; 30 mg: 205 ± 33 min, P = 0.0427). The demand of additional analgesics was comparable in all dosage groups. CONCLUSION: Hyperbaric prilocaine 20 mg/ml can be applied in dosages of 10, 20 and 30 mg for SPA in perianal surgery. Because of sufficient analgesia, missing motor block and shorter recovery times, 10 mg of hyperbaric prilocaine 20 mg/ml can be recommended for perianal outpatient surgery.

[Operations for hemorrhoids: indications and techniques]. / Operationen beim Hämorrhoidalleiden: Indikation und Technik.

Haemorrhoidal disease is one of the most common diseases in general and will in most cases progress without therapy. In the therapeutic context the means of choice are conservative therapies and in the advanced stage of the disease operative measures are necessary. In Germany 40,000-50,000 operations are performed each year. Our aim with the currently available various operation techniques is individualized therapy and indications. Thus a high healing rate, low complication rate and high patient satisfaction can be achieved.

Gore BioA Fistula Plug in the treatment of high anal fistulas--initial results from a German multicenter-study.

BACKGROUND: Treatment of high anal fistulas may be associated with a high risk of continence disorders. Beside traditional procedure of flap-reconstruction the occlusion of the fistula tract using fistula-plugs offers a new sphincter-saving treatment option. In this study for the first time results from Germany are described. PATIENTS AND METHOD: 40 patients (30 male, 10 female, age 51 ± 12 years) underwent closure of a high trans-sphincteric (n = 28) or supra-sphincteric (n = 12) fistula with Gore BioA Fistula Plug(®) in three surgical departments. The surgical procedures had been performed by five colorectal surgeons. Four patients had Crohn's disease. Preoperatively 33 patients were completely continent; seven patients complained of minor continence disorders. Treatment of the patients was performed on a intent-to-treat basis and evaluation of the results was retrospective using pooled data from each center. RESULTS: Postoperatively one patient developed an abscess, which had to be managed surgically. In two patients the plug had fallen out within the first two weeks postoperatively. Six months after surgery the fistula has been healed in 20 patients (50.0%). Three additional fistulas healed after 7, 9 rsp. 12 months. The overall healing-rate was 57.5% (23/40). The healing rate differs considerably between the surgeons from 0 to 75% and depends on the number of previous interventions. In patients having only drainage of the abscess success occurred in 63.6% (14/22) whereas in patients after one or more flap fistula reconstruction the healing rate decreased slightly to 50% (9/18). No patient complained about any impairment of his preoperative continence status. CONCLUSION: By occlusion of high anal fistulas with a plug technique definitive healing could be achieved in nearly every second patients. Previous surgery seems to have a negative impact on success rate. We have not observed any negative impact on anal continence. From that point of view anal fistula plugs might be discussed as a treatment option for high anal fistulas, but further studies are needed to gain conclusive evidence.

[Health-related quality of life after surgical haemorrhoid treatment - results, methods and problems]. / Gesundheitsbezogene Lebensqualität nach operativer Hämorrhoidaltherapie - Ergebnisse, Methoden und Probleme.

In patients suffering from haemorrhoidal disease a hyperplasia of the corpus cavernosum recti is accompanied by various symptoms such as anal bleeding and minor continence disorders as well as itching, soiling and burning. According to the morphological findings, haemorrhoids are staged from grade I up to IV. Therapy strategies are adjusted to this staging. Early stages are treated by conservative measures, such as regulation of defaecation, sclerosis and rubber band ligations. Advanced stages require operative methods, such as segmental excision and stapled haemorrhoidopexy. Since patients demand a greater regard to the subjective experience of their disease and its treatment, quality of life evaluation has become an important issue in medical care. Therefore health-related quality of life is increasingly becoming a relevant primary or secondary end point of clinical studies. Since up to 4 % of the general adult population in industrial nations is annually diagnosed to suffer from haemorrhoidal disease, in Germany per annum 3.5 Mio patients seek medical advice due to this condition and 40 000-50 000 surgical procedures are performed. Nevertheless only very few studies have been carried out to investigate the influence of this widespread disease on the quality of life of those patients. Additionally cost-effectiveness analyses measuring quality-adjusted life years are becoming more and more decisive in health politics. The present article discusses the definitions of health-related as well as disease-related quality of life. Different psychometric tests applied to evaluate the quality of life are summarised, quality criteria are outlined and limitations discussed. Several studies were analysed in regard to the quality of life in patients with haemorrhoidal disease and the specific influence of different operative techniques was reviewed.

The anal fistula claw: the OTSC clip for anal fistula closure.

AIM: Surgical closure of high or complex anal fistulae is often a difficult challenge. A special Nitinol clip, the OTSC clip (Ovesco AG), was evaluated for fistula closure in a porcine model. METHOD: A total of 20 fistulae were created in 10 animals by seton insertion. Four weeks after fistula induction the setons were removed: one internal fistula opening per animal was left untreated as control whereas the other opening was closed by the OTSC clip using a specially developed transanal clip applicator. The safety and technical feasibility of the clip application were tested. Another 4 weeks later, fistulae were macroscopically assessed for closure. For histological examination, the anorectum including the fistula tract was excised en bloc. RESULTS: Four weeks after clip placement, all external and internal fistula openings were macroscopically closed. The clip application site presented with an increased scarring. Microscopically, 40% of residual tracts and a more intense chronic inflammation were seen in the untreated control fistulae. After clip placement, 10% of the fistulae persisted associated with a higher density of collagen fibres indicating a better fistula scarring and healing. No unexpected side-effects or complications caused by the clip were observed. CONCLUSION: Fistula closure using the OTSC clip represents a promising sphincter-preserving minimally invasive procedure. This study demonstrated the safety and feasibility of the 'anal fistula claw' for fistula closure. In spite of limitations of the porcine model the results justify clinical applications and further investigations.

Early supplementation of parenteral nutrition is capable of improving quality of life, chemotherapy-related toxicity and body composition in patients with advanced colorectal carcinoma undergoing palliative treatment: results from a prospective, randomized clinical trial.

AIM: Patients suffering from advanced colorectal cancer can experience unintended weight loss and/or treatment-induced gastrointestinal toxicity. Based on current evidence, the routine use of parenteral nutrition (PN) for patients with colorectal cancer is not recommended. This study evaluates the effect of PN supplementation on body composition, quality of life (QoL), chemotherapy-associated side effects and survival in patients with advanced colorectal cancer. METHOD: Eighty-two patients with advanced colorectal cancer receiving a palliative chemotherapy were prospectively randomized to either oral enteral nutrition supplement (PN-) or oral enteral nutrition supplement plus supplemental PN (PN+). Every 6 weeks body weight, body mass index (BMI), chemotherapy-associated side effects and caloric intake were assessed, haemoglobin and serum albumin were measured. Body composition was assessed by body impedance analysis, and QoL was evaluated by European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer (EORTC) QLQC30 questionnaire. RESULTS: No differences were evident at baseline between the groups for age, sex, diagnosis, weight, BMI or QoL. A difference in BMI was observed by week 36, whereas differences of the mean body cell mass could be observed from week 6, albumin dropped significantly in the PN- group in week 36 and QoL showed significant differences from week 18. Chemotherapy-associated side effects were higher in PN-. The survival rate was significantly greater in the PN+ group. CONCLUSION: A supplementation with PN slows weight loss, stabilizes body-composition and improves QoL in patients with advanced colorectal cancer. Furthermore, it can reduce chemotherapy-related side effects.