'PartBreCon' study. A UK multicentre retrospective cohort study to assess outcomes following PARTial BREast reCONstruction with chest wall perforator flaps.

BACKGROUND: Partial breast reconstruction with a pedicled chest wall perforator flap (CWPF) enables breast conservation in a higher tumour: breast volume ratio scenario. Since there is limited evidence, this retrospective cohort study aimed to ascertain immediate (30-days) and medium-term (follow-up duration) surgical outcomes. METHODS: STROBE-compliant protocol ascertained CWPF outcomes between March 2011-March 2021. UK centres known to perform CWPF were invited to participate if they performed at least 10 cases. Data were retrospectively collected, including patient demographics, tumour and treatment characteristics, and surgical and oncological outcomes. Statistical analysis (R™) included multivariable logistic regression and sensitivity analysis. RESULTS: Across 15 centres, 507 patients with median age (54 years, IQR; 48-62), body mass index (25.4 kg/m2, IQR; 22.5-29), tumour size (26 mm, IQR; 18-35), and specimen weight (62 g, IQR; 40-92) had following flap types: LiCAP (54.1%, n = 273), MiCAP/AiCAP (19.6%, n = 99), LiCAP + LTAP (19.8%, n = 100) and TDAP (2.2%, n = 11). 30-days complication rates were in 12%: haematoma (4.3%, n = 22), wound infection (4.3%, n = 22), delayed wound healing (2.8%, n = 14) and flap loss (0.6%, n = 3; 1 full) leading to readmissions (2.6%, n = 13) and re-operations (2.6%, n = 13). Positive margins (n = 88, 17.7%) led to 15.9% (n = 79) re-excisions, including 7.5% (n = 37) at the planned 2nd of 2-stage surgery and 1.8% (n = 9) mastectomy. At median 23 months (IQR; 11-39) follow-up, there were 1.2% (n = 6) symmetrisations; recurrences: local (1%), regional/nodal (0.6%) and distant (3.2%). CONCLUSIONS: This large multicentre cohort study demonstrates acceptable complication and margin re-excision rates. CWPF extends the range of breast conservation techniques. Further studies are required for long-term oncological outcomes.

A prospective, single-arm, multicentre clinical evaluation of a new localisation technique using non-radioactive Magseeds for surgery of clinically occult breast lesions.

AIM: To evaluate the safety, usefulness, and outcome of Magseed localisation for surgery of non-palpable breast lesions in a non-experimental setting. MATERIALS AND METHODS: An audit was undertaken of a prospectively maintained database of patients who had undergone breast surgery under Magseed guidance in two high-volume institutions in the UK. Patients were selected for Magseed localisation depending on service convenience. Wire localisations were used in other patients in accordance with previous normal practice. One hundred and thirty-nine Magseed localisaton procedures were performed between September 2017 and March 2019. Data were collected on age, body mass index, size, bra cup size, weight of specimen, surgery, histology, re-excision rate, and time and mode of insertion of seeds. RESULTS: A total of 137 patients had Magseed localisation with a total of 139 seeds. Sixteen patients had a diagnostic procedure and 121 had therapeutic surgery. The distribution of procedures were similar between the two institutes (n=63 and n=74). Mean age was 60 (range 28-81) years. The majority of seeds were placed under ultrasound guidance (n=112) and 25 lesions were targeted under stereo guidance. Mean size of the lesions was 15.2 (range 1-85) mm. The mean weight of the specimen was 75.5 (range 2-1,900) g. The mean body mass index was 30.56 (range 18.1-48.3). All Magseeds and index lesions were retrieved. The re-excision rate for patients who underwent therapeutic surgery was 14.8% (n=18). CONCLUSION: The Magseed localisation technique of non-palpable breast lesions is a safe, easy procedure, and comes with the advantage of better utilisation of theatre and radiology resources. The re-excision rate in this series is lower than the national average.

Measurement of anal cushions in continent women.

AIM: Anal cushions are connective tissue complexes thought to be involved in anal continence. This study aimed to assess them in continent subjects. METHOD: Continent women undergoing a transvaginal ultrasound scan for gynaecological reasons were included. The anal cushions were visualized at the mid-canal level. The cross-sectional area within the internal anal sphincter (Area 1) and the area enclosed within the anal cushions (Area 2) were measured and a Cushion:Canal (C:C) ratio was derived for each patient. The measurements were repeated in the semi-erect position. RESULTS: One hundred and two patients with a median age of 41 (IQR 32-49) years were included. The median C:C ratio was 0.68 (IQR 0.61-0.73). Inter-observer error was 0.98 and intra-observer error was 0.99. There was no significant correlation between age and C:C ratio. The C:C ratio was significantly higher in parous than in nulliparous women (P = 0.04). A history of obstetric trauma or minimal haemorrhoidal symptoms did not influence C:C ratio. There was a significant increase in C:C ratio in the erect position. (P = 0.04). CONCLUSION: There was a wide range of variability in the measurement of anal cushions in normal continent women. These were not influenced by age.

Measurement of anal cushions in idiopathic faecal incontinence.

BACKGROUND: Faecal incontinence affects a heterogeneous population and aetiology can be multifactorial. In a subset of patients the aetiology remains idiopathic despite standard investigations. Anal cushions are important in normal continence, but have rarely been studied. The aim of this study was to measure the size of the anal cushions and to evaluate their role in patients with idiopathic faecal incontinence. METHODS: Women in whom idiopathic faecal incontinence was diagnosed after standard anorectal investigations underwent transvaginal ultrasonography. The area of the anal cushions was measured and a cushion : canal (C : C) ratio derived, which was compared with that in a control group of women without faecal incontinence. RESULTS: Some 21 patients with incontinence (median age 60 years) and 102 asymptomatic controls (median age 41 years) underwent scanning. The median (interquartile range) C : C ratio in the symptomatic group was significantly lower than that for controls (0.57 (0.54-0.66) versus 0.68 (0.61-0.73) respectively; P = 0.001). C : C ratio was not influenced by age (r = 0.023, P = 0.821). CONCLUSION: The C : C ratio was reduced in patients with idiopathic faecal incontinence.

Efficacy of the anal fistula plug in complex anorectal fistulae.

OBJECTIVE: The treatment of complex anorectal and rectovaginal fistulae remains a difficult problem. The options are fistulotomy, setons, fibrin glue and a variety of flap procedures. Recently, there have been several reports of a new plug; the Surgisis AFP plug. Reports from various centres do not give consistent results. The aim of this study was to assess the efficacy of the Surgisis AFP fistula plug in a wide spectrum of patients with anorectal, rectovaginal and pouch vaginal fistulae. METHOD: Between March 2006 and September 2007, patients with a variety of anal fistulae were selected for fistula plug insertion in the coloproctology units at Leeds, UK, and Aarhus, Denmark. Demographic and fistulae details were obtained. Postoperatively, all patients had a course of oral antibiotics. RESULTS: Forty-three patients with a median age of 45 (range 18-65) years underwent a total of 45 procedures. Seventy-five per cent (n = 32) had a fistula secondary to cryptoglandular abscess. Median follow up was 47 (range 12-77) weeks. The success rate for complete healing was 44%. Dislodgement caused failure on 10 (22%) occasions. CONCLUSION: Our study shows a moderate success rate for treatment with fistula plugs. The complex nature of the fistulae selected may be the reason for the low success rate.

Feasibility and functional outcome of laparoscopic sacrocolporectopexy for combined vaginal and rectal prolapse.

PURPOSE: Prolapse of multiple pelvic organs causes a variety of symptoms that impair a patient's quality of life. A laparoscopic procedure is described that uses a mesh fixation of the mid-compartment vagina to the sacrum with additional rectopexy to correct both the anatomical deformities and the dysfunction of the posterior compartment. METHODS: Patients with significant rectal and vaginal prolapse with or without rectocele were recruited. A thorough preoperative physiological assessment of each of the compartments of the pelvic floor was carried out. Patients also completed the Pelvic Floor Distress Inventory before and six months after surgery. RESULTS: Ten patients underwent the procedure of laparoscopic sacrocolporectopexy (median age 47 years, interquartile range 43-53). No mortality or morbidity occurred. Median global distress inventory scores were significantly lower postoperatively (8.3, interquartile range 0-20.8 vs. 37.5, interquartile range 16.6-60.4) P = 0.012. All three median subscales were also significantly lower postoperatively. The procedure corrected associated rectoceles and descent of the perineum on straining. CONCLUSION: The described laparoscopic procedure of mesh sacrocolpopexy with rectopexy was safe and feasible and conferred good symptomatic improvement in pelvic floor dysfunction.

Adenocarcinoid tumour of the appendix masquerading as acute appendicitis: a word of caution.

Adenocarcinoids are rare and aggressive tumors with histological features of both carcinoid tumor and adenocarcinoma. We report a case of a 32-year-old man with diffuse infiltration of the appendix wall and mesoappendix by an adenocarcinoid. Due to the involvement, a hemicolectomy was performed at a later date. We suggest that patients with diffuse appendiceal involvement require an aggressive surgical therapy and follow-up.

Awareness of investigations and treatment of faecal incontinence among the general practitioners: a postal questionnaire survey.

OBJECTIVE: Faecal incontinence is a distressing condition that can result in significant embarrassment and limitation of routine activities. General practitioners (GP) are the primary carers of such patients. There are recent developments in the surgical treatment options for this under-reported condition. Awareness of these changes is required to make the best use of them. To the best knowledge of the authors, no studies have examined the awareness of investigations and treatment options for faecal incontinence amongst GPs. This is the focus of our study. METHOD: A confidential questionnaire was posted to GPs in the Yorkshire region. The questionnaire was designed to assess: first, the basic knowledge of GPs with regard to prevalence, investigations and treatment modalities of faecal incontinence and secondly, the patterns of consultations and referrals of patients with faecal incontinence. RESULTS: One thousand and one hundred questionnaires were posted. Five hundred and four were returned giving a response rate of 48.5% (n = 504). The prevalence assessed by the GPs is similar to that by population based surveys. Only 32% (n = 162) of GPs were aware of at least one investigation. Similarly only 32% of the GP's were aware of at least one form of surgical treatment. The knowledge of UK centres where these facilities are available was limited (60% not aware). Only one quarter of the GPs referred the patients to the surgical specialties. Surprisingly, there was no significant difference in the level of knowledge of investigation and treatments between the GPs who see patients with faecal incontinence more frequently compared with those who see such patients infrequently (P-values 0.298 and 0.432 respectively). CONCLUSION: The level of awareness of investigation modalities and treatment options for faecal incontinence is limited among GPs. Knowledge of the existence of diagnostic tests and surgical treatment options for faecal incontinence and the centres with these facilities is needed for the best utilization of the technical resources and expertise. Further studies are needed to assess the impact of this lack of knowledge on the quality of patient care. Better communication between referral centres and GPs, combined with continuing medical education programmes, may be useful tools to improve appropriate patient management.

A classification system for faecal incontinence based on anorectal investigations.

BACKGROUND: Faecal incontinence is a socially disabling condition that affects a heterogeneous population of patients. There is no standardization of investigations, and treatment outcomes are variable. The major limitation for comparing the results from different studies is the lack of a pretreatment classification of incontinence. The aim of this study was to review the anorectal investigation findings and propose a simple, repeatable classification for faecal incontinence. METHODS: Patients who had anorectal investigations for defaecatory disorders from February 2000 to September 2006 were analysed retrospectively. All patients had anorectal manometry, anal mucosal electrosensitivity testing and endoanal ultrasonography. RESULTS: Of a total of 1294 patients, 135 were excluded, leaving 1159 (460 continent and 699 incontinent) for analysis. The patients were divided into four groups: traumatic incontinence, neuropathic faecal incontinence, combined faecal incontinence and idiopathic faecal incontinence. The manometric variables and demographics were distinct in these groups. CONCLUSION: Patients with faecal incontinence can be classified into different groups with distinct pathophysiological variables. Such a classification system will enable comparison and interpretation of the outcomes of different studies and also help in the selection of patients for appropriate treatments.

Surgical management of pelvic organ prolapse in females: functional outcome of mesh sacrocolpopexy and rectopexy as a combined procedure.

PURPOSE: Urogenital prolapse is relatively common compared with rectal prolapse and the combination of urogenital prolapse and rectal prolapse is still more infrequent. This study was designed to evaluate the functional outcome of a series of patients who have undergone open mesh sacrocolporectopexy surgery for combined vaginal and rectal prolapse. METHODS: Consecutive patients from June 2000 to June 2004 with confirmed vaginal and rectal prolapse subsequently underwent open mesh sacrocolporectopexy. The Cleveland Clinic Short Form-20 Pelvic Floor Distress Inventory questionnaire with Urinary Distress Inventory, Pelvic Organ Prolapse Distress Inventory, and Colorectal-Anal Distress Inventory subscales was completed by all patients preoperatively and at six months postoperatively. RESULTS: There were 29 patients with a median age of 66 (interquartile range, 59-73) years. Median period of follow-up was 26 (interquartile range, 15-33) months. Median global pelvic floor distress inventory scores were lower postoperatively compared with preoperatively (96.4 (interquartile range, 50.8-149.7) vs. 182.3 (interquartile range, 140.6-208.6; P = 0.001). All three median subscales scores also were significantly lower postoperatively compared with preoperatively. CONCLUSIONS: In patients with concurrent vaginal and rectal prolapse, open mesh sacrocolporectopexy confers good symptomatic improvement for urinary-, vaginal-, and rectal-related symptoms.