Obstructed defaecation syndrome: European consensus guidelines on the surgical management.

Clinical decision-making in the treatment of patients with obstructed defaecation remains controversial and no international guidelines have been provided so far. This study reports a consensus among European opinion leaders on the management of obstructed defaecation in different possible clinical scenarios.

Non cross-linked equine collagen (Salvecoll-E gel) for treatment of complex ano-rectal fistula.

BACKGROUND: Fistula-in-ano is one of the most commonly presenting anorectal diseases. Sphincter sparing treatment options should be considered in patients with complex fistulas. Salvecoll-E gel is a native collagen deantigenated and purified, non-cross-linked equine dermal extract, with an amino acid composition identical to human collagen. METHODS: The multicentric trial study was a prospective, single-arm observational clinical study with the objective to assess the efficacy of Salvecoll-E gel for anal fistula repair in 70 patients. All patients had undergone preliminary surgical treatment consisting of positioning of a draining loosing seton that was maintained for a period of 4-6 weeks. After seton removal, a gentle debridement and washing of the fistula track was performed. The scar tissue was removed from the internal orifice. Internal opening was covered by a side-to side mucosal suture. Salvecoll-E was injected through the external opening into the fistula track, the external opening it has been opened. RESULTS: Twelve months after surgery, 55 patients demonstrated a clinically healed fistula (78,5%), 15 patients have a recurrence (21,5%). Most of the recurrences were observed in the first 6 months of treatment (13/15, 86.6%). We don't observe any worsening in CCF score. The results obtained at 1 year certainly seem satisfactory and in line with the best results published in literature using mini-invasive techniques. CONCLUSION: Salvecoll-E gel is a promising non-invasive technique for conservative treatment of anal fistulas, it's well tolerated by the patients and, in case of recurrence, reinjection or all other known techniques are feasible.

Breast cancer registry in Palermo and its Province: incidence in 1999.

The incidence of breast cancer in the city of Palermo and its Province was investigated. The cancer rate was higher in the city of Palermo (100.8/100,000/year), a great southern urban area, than in the 81 municipalities of the Province (79.2/100,000/year). Rates were also compared with those in other geographic areas of Italy, showing a smaller than expected negative north-south gradient in incidence, especially in the young age group, as shown by the cumulative risk observed in the 0-54-year-old group. These findings confirm the role of recent life style changes in the cancer risk distribution.

[Bleeding in diverticular disease of the colon]. / Il sanguinamento nella malattia diverticolare del colon.

The incidence of bleeding from diverticular disease ranges from 3 to 30%. Haemorrhage is more common when the whole colon is affected; the source is more frequently in the right colon. Typically, the bleeding is massive, with 15% of the patients admitted in shock. It nearly always stops spontaneously, but recurrence rate is high. Chronic blood loss suggests alternative sources. Emergency angiography detects aetiology and site of the haemorrhage in most of the patients. Vasopressin infusion can frequently stop the bleeding. Colonoscopy is profitable only when bleeding stops, after a rapid clearing of the colon. On the other hand, intraoperative colonoscopy could be useful in emergency cases when urgent surgery is clearly indicated. Surgical treatment is requested only in few patients: segmental resections (generally right hemicolectomy) are indicated when there is evidence of the source of the blood loss. In the other cases sub-total or total colectomy are justified and provide better and safer results.

Hemorrhoidectomy with posterior perineal block: experience with 400 cases.

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to evaluate the advantages and feasibility of hemorrhoidectomy using regional anesthesia (posterior perineal block). METHODS: From March 1994 to December 1998 we performed 400 hemorrhoidectomies with regional anesthesia in an overnight-stay regimen in our department (Colo-Rectal Unit). Posterior perineal block involves anesthesia of the deep plains (infiltration of the inferior hemorrhoidal nerves, the posterior branch of the internal pudendal nerves, and the anococcygeal nerves) and anesthesia of the superficial plains (block of the inferior gluteal nerves and of perineal branches of minor nerves from the sacral plexus). RESULTS: Posterior perineal block was always effective; optimal to satisfactory intraoperative analgesia was obtained in 379 patients (95.2 percent), whereas in 17 cases (4.2 percent) intravenous analgesic drugs were administered. No conversion to general anesthesia was needed. Urinary retention was 7.8 percent. In our study most of patients (70 percent) reported no pain at all for five to ten hours. Ninety-two percent of patients were discharged in the first 24 hours. CONCLUSIONS: Posterior perineal block allows the surgeon to perform radical hemorrhoidectomies in an overnight-stay regimen with safe and effective intraoperative and postoperative analgesia, sphincter relaxation, and low incidence of urinary retention. Experience of the surgeon combined with careful surgical handling are of great importance for success in this technique.

Day surgery for mucosal-hemorrhoidal prolapse using a circular stapler and modified regional anesthesia.

PURPOSE: In 1993, prolapse reduction using the circular stapler for the treatment of hemorrhoidal disease was proposed. The procedure is characterized by minimal postoperative pain. In this study we evaluated the above technique using regional anesthesia to identify the advantages and feasibility of stapled hemorrhoidectomy, with special focus on the efficacy of same-day discharge. METHODS: From December 1997 to November 1999, we performed 70 consecutive reduction corrections of mucosal hemorrhoidal prolapse using the circular stapler with regional anesthesia (a technical modification of Marti's posterior perineal block). Our series included 41 males and 29 females with a mean age of 43.4 (range, 25-74) years. Three patients were affected by second-degree hemorrhoids and 67 by third-degree hemorrhoids. RESULTS: Sixty-two patients were discharged three hours after the operation in good general condition and without pain, whereas eight patients were discharged the day after for early complications, consisting of two cases of early bleeding, three cases of urinary retention, and three cases of persistent severe pain requiring prolonged medical treatment. CONCLUSION: Our study shows that, in selected cases, it is possible to perform day surgery for patients with hemorrhoidal disease using a circular stapler device when combined with regional anesthesia.