Inflammation affects sufentanil consumption in ulcerative colitis.

BACKGROUND: Previous studies have demonstrated an increased perioperative opioid requirement during inflammatory disease. To evaluate the influence of the inflammatory process, we studied in the same patient the sufentanil requirement during procedures that occur during two distinct phases of ulcerative colitis with different inflammatory profiles: (1) left colectomy for major colitis unresponsive to medical treatment during acute inflammation and (2) coloprotectomy with ileoanal anastomosis, three months after recovery of the acute inflammatory episode. METHODS: Sixteen patients with clinical and histological evidence of ulcerative colitis scheduled for colectomy with ileoanal anastomosis were included. For each surgical procedure, anaesthesia was induced with sufentanil 0.5 microg kg(-1) and propofol 2 mg kg(-1). Patients were ventilated with 50% nitrous oxide and oxygen, and tidal volume was adjusted to keep end-tidal CO2 at 30 mmHg. Anaesthesia was maintained with end-tidal isoflurane at 0.5%. Analgesia was achieved with continuous infusion of sufentanil at 0.3 microg kg(-1) h(-1). Additional boluses of sufentanil and increases in infusion rates were used when haemodynamic variables increased to more than 20% of preoperative values. Sufentanil consumption during surgery was analysed by Wilcoxon signed rank sum test. P < 0.05 was considered significant. RESULTS: Total intra-operative sufentanil requirement was significantly larger during colectomy performed for acute inflammatory colitis than during ileoanal anastomosis performed after the inflammatory process (1.24 +/- 0.48 microg kg(-1) h(-1) vs. 0.62 +/- 0.3 microg kg(-1) h(-1); P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: For the same patient, inflammatory status influences opioid requirements during surgery for ulcerative colitis.

[Severe blunt liver injury: reappraisal of criteria for nonoperative management decision. Experience with 88 cases]. / Traumatismes graves fermés du foie: à la recherche de critères décisionnels pour le choix du traitement non-opératoire. A propos d'une série de 88 cas.

AIM OF THE STUDY: To analyze the predictive value of computed tomography (CT) and initial physiologic and laboratory data findings in the immediate operative (OP) or non-operative (NOP) management of blunt liver injury (BL). METHODS: Eighty-eight BL, grade III (51), grade IV (28) and nine grade V (9), aged 26.2 years (16-75) were identified. Hemoperitoneum on CT, hemodynamic status, physiologic and laboratory data <24 hours or preoperative (transfusion, vascular filling) and follow-up >48 hours were analyzed. RESULTS: Data of 71/88 (80%) NOP and 17/88 (20%) OP patients were reviewed. A secondary laparotomy or laparoscopy was necessary in 11/71 TNO. Six OP (35%) and 1 NOP patients died. Blood units transfused were 1.33 (0-10) vs 5.9 (0-22) and vascular filling 1.45 (0.5-5.5) vs 3.6L (2-12) (P<10(-6), P<4.10(-3) respectively). NOP patients had less severe hemoperitoneum (31 vs 94%, P<10(-5)) and hemodynamic instability (8.5 vs 94%, P<10(-4)). But, there was an overlap of values of blood units transfused, amount of vascular filling and initial haemoglobin levels between NOP and OP patients and among CT grades of liver injury. No cut-off values could be determined: 33% NOP received >4 blood units and >3 L vascular filling; 30% had severe hemoperitoneum. In OP group 23.5% patients had lower values and no severe hemoperitoneum. CONCLUSION: In the management of BL, vascular filling and blood transfusion increased with the grade of CT liver injury and were globally more elevated in the operative group but did not individually correlate with hemodynamic stability and did not authorize, by themselves, to decide between operative versus non-operative management.

The role of natural IgM in the hyperacute rejection of discordant heart xenografts.

The mechanism of xenograft hyperacute rejection in discordant species combinations remains controversial. The purpose of this work was to study the role of natural antibodies in the hyperacute rejection of guinea pig hearts transplanted into rats, a highly discordant combination. This study was conducted in vitro, ex vivo, and in vivo. The endothelial cells of the graft being the first targets damaged in the process of hyperacute rejection, the binding of rat natural antibodies to guinea pig endothelial cells was studied by immunofluorescence. The study was carried out in vitro on guinea pig endothelial cells in culture, and ex vivo on isolated guinea pig hearts perfused with either rat serum or immunoglobulins or immunoglobulin fragments bearing the antigen-binding site. In vitro and ex vivo, rat natural IgM were found to bind specifically to guinea pig endothelial cells, since IgM fragments bearing the antigen-binding site (Fab mu and Fab' mu) could be detected on these cells. IgM fragments were able to inhibit the fixation of native IgM molecules. In contrast, rat IgG only bound to endothelial cells through Fc portions. Thus rat natural IgM might play a role in hyperacute rejection by binding to the graft endothelial cells and triggering the complement cascade activation. In order to test the role of natural IgM in vivo, isolated guinea pig hearts were first perfused with rat Fab' mu, which inhibit the binding of IgM and are unable to activate the complement cascade. These hearts were then transplanted into Lewis rats. The rejection time of Fab' mu-perfused guinea pig hearts was prolonged compared with hearts perfused with buffer or IgG F(ab')2. Therefore, in the guinea pig to rat combination, preventing the binding of the recipient's natural IgM to the graft endothelium delays the hyperacute rejection. In addition, natural IgM are likely to play a greater role than natural IgG.

Pouchitis is associated with mucosal imbalance between interleukin-8 and interleukin-10.

BACKGROUND: Mucosal lesions of pouchitis are characterized by a neutrophil infiltrate. Interleukin (IL)-8 is the main mediator involved in neutrophil recruitment and is down-regulated by IL-10. AIM: To look for an imbalance between IL-8 and IL-10 in patients with pouchitis. PATIENTS/METHODS: 18 patients having an ileoanal pouch for ulcerative colitis were studied. Eleven had pouchitis defined by the pouchitis disease activity index of > or =7 points and 7 had no history of pouchitis. Biopsies taken at the site of inflammation or in the normal mucosa were scored for the histologic lesions, the intensity of neutrophil infiltration, and the presence of crypt abscesses. Mucosal IL-8 and IL-10 mRNA were quantified by competitive polymerase chain reaction. RESULTS: IL-8, IL-10, and IL-10/IL-8 mRNA were similar in patients with or without pouchitis. IL-8 mRNA levels were significantly higher in patients with a histologic score >2 (p = 0.01) and in patients with crypt abscesses (p = 0.01). IL-10/IL-8 mRNA was significantly lower in patients having a histologic score >2 (p = 0.019), a neutrophil infiltration > or =10% (p = 0.013), and crypt abscesses (p = 0.01). CONCLUSION: Histologic lesions of pouchitis are associated with a mucosal imbalance between IL-8 and IL-10. IL-10 could be proposed as a new treatment for pouchitis.

Abnormalities in mucin gene expression in Crohn's disease.

Alterations in the structure and/or quantity of mucins could alter the barrier function of mucus and play a role in initiating and maintaining mucosal inflammation in Crohn's disease. To investigate the hypothesis of a mucin gene defect in Crohn's disease, we analyzed the expression of the different mucin genes in the ileal mucosa of patients with Crohn's disease and controls. mRNA expression levels were assessed by a quantitative dot blot analysis and compared (i) between healthy and involved ileal mucosa of patients with Crohn's disease and (ii) between healthy mucosa of patients with Crohn's disease and controls. Expression of the different mucin genes was heterogeneous among controls and patients with Crohn's disease, except for MUC6 in controls. Nevertheless, MUC1 mRNA expression was significantly decreased in the involved ileal mucosa of patients with Crohn's disease when compared to the healthy mucosa (p = 0.02). Moreover, the expression levels of MUC3, MUC4, and MUC5B were significantly lower in both healthy and involved ileal mucosa of patients with Crohn's disease compared to controls (p < or = 0.05). The decrease of expression levels of some mucin genes (more particularly MUC3, MUC4, and MUC5B) in both healthy and involved ileal mucosa suggests a primary or very early mucosal defect of these genes in CD.

Impaired contractile response of mesenteric arteries in Crohn's disease.

BACKGROUND: Crohn's disease is associated with vascular injury and dysregulation of the intestinal immune system which together can provide disturbance of mesenteric circulation functional properties. AIM: To evaluate the vascular reactivity of mesenteric arteries from patients with Crohn's disease. METHODS: Phenylephrine-induced contractions were assessed from 10 patients with Crohn's disease and 8 control organ donors. NG-nitro-L-arginine-methyl-ester (L-NAME) was used to test the presence of inducible NO synthase. Endothelium dependent and independent relaxation was assessed using acetylcholine, bradykinin, calcium ionophore A23187 and sodium nitroprusside. RESULTS: The contractile response to phenylephrine was significantly decreased in arteries without endothelium from patients with Crohn's disease. Exposure to the NO synthase inhibitor L-NAME restored the contractile response to phenylephrine. Relaxation remained unaltered in both groups. CONCLUSION: These data provide direct evidence for fading of contraction caused by phenylephrine in Crohn's disease. The restored mesenteric artery tone by a specific NO synthase inhibitor suggests that an increased production for NO in vascular smooth muscle might be responsible of this altered vascular reactivity.

Arterial embolization for bleeding pseudocysts complicating chronic pancreatitis.

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the efficacy of arterial embolization (EMB) in the management of bleeding pancreatic pseudocysts or pseudoaneurysms and to assess the possible indication for secondary surgery. DESIGN: Retrospective review with a mean follow-up of 60 months (range, 18-125 months). SETTING: Tertiary care center, university hospital. PATIENTS: The medical records of 14 patients who were referred to the hospital with bleeding pancreatic pseudocysts and/or pseudoaneurysms related to chronic pancreatitis, between 1983 and 1994, were reviewed. The clinical presentation was major bleeding in 10 patients (gastrointestinal or intraperitoneal) and chronic signs in 4. INTERVENTION: Celiac and superior mesenteric angiography with EMB attempt in all patients. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: The immediate effect on bleeding and the long-term safety of arterial EMB. RESULTS: Embolization failed in 3 patients and surgery was needed (1 patient died). Embolization was successful in 11 patients, but 2 complications occurred (duodenal necrosis and aortic thrombosis) (1 patient died). Among the 10 patients whose bleeding stopped, an intentional pancreatectomy was performed 4 times (all patients are alive). The 6 other patients did not undergo a further pancreatic operation due to unfavorable local or general condition. None of them had recurrent bleeding, 3 of them died later of extrapancreatic diseases. Overall, early mortality was 14%, with deaths occurring only in unsuccessful or complicated EMB cases. CONCLUSIONS: The immediate effectiveness of arterial EMB is undeniable but depends on the expertise of the radiologist. When EMB is successful, further surgery should be reserved for patients in good general condition who have other complications of chronic pancreatitis that are not amenable to minimally invasive techniques.

Retroperitoneal approach and endoscopic management of peripancreatic necrosis collections.

OBJECTIVE: To review the results of the different modalities of treatment of acute necrotizing pancreatitis that have been used by a single team during a 6-year period to assess the technique and indications of an endoscopic method of retroperitoneal drainage that is routinely performed for the management of peripancreatic necrosis. DESIGN AND SETTING: Retrospective study of 53 patients in a tertiary care center. RESULTS: All patients had signs of peripancreatic necrosis on initial computed tomography scan, 20 patients experienced organ failure during the first 7 days of the disease, and bacterial contamination was proved in 22 (56%) of 39 samples of peripancreatic necrosis. Methods of treatment included supportive therapy alone (group 1), percutaneous drainage (group 2), endoscopic retroperitoneal drainage (group 3), and laparotomy and transperitoneal drainage (group 4). Mortality and mean hospital stay were as follows: group 1, 0% and 23 days; group 2, 20% and 89 days; group 3, 10% and 62 days; and group 4, 33% and 86 days. Percutaneous drainage was beneficial in only 3 cases of sterile collection. Two local complications were related to the method of endoscopic drainage. Primary laparotomy was not routinely performed except in patients with an intraperitoneal complication. Overall mortality was 13.2%; mortality was significantly higher in patients with an infected necrosis (32%). CONCLUSIONS: The use of endoscopic retroperitoneal drainage seemed to be a significant factor in the observed improvement by providing a reliable drainage of the peripancreatic areas and avoiding the opening of the peritoneal cavity. This surgical approach is not exclusive and may be combined with a secondary laparotomy when needed. The preferred indications of this method are heterogeneous collections of necrosis with bacterial contamination.

A pilot study of adjuvant hepatic arterial infusion chemotherapy, associating 5-fluorouracil and leucovorin, after resection of colorectal cancer liver metastases.

We initiated a pilot study of adjuvant hepatic arterial infusion chemotherapy (AHAIC) using 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) and leucovorin. Hepatic arterial infusion ports were placed in 15 consecutive patients undergoing curative resection of colorectal liver metastases. The chemotherapy regimen consisted of a weekly infusion of 5-FU (12 mg m 2 per day) and leucovorin (200 mg m 2 per day) for 12 months. The mean follow-up was 22 months (range 3-62 months, SD 21-37 months). There were no clinical or biological complications related to chemotherapy, except for sharp epigastric burns in four patients immediately after 5-FU infusions. Catheter irreversible occlusions led to early cessation of the treatment in three patients. Four of the 15 evaluable patients developed recurrent disease. The site of relapse was the liver in two patients and extra-hepatic sites in the two remaining patients. Three of these four patients died of their recurrent disease. These results suggest that 5-FU and leucovorin can be combined for AHAIC in a long duration regimen with a very low rate of side-effects. This protocol could be safely employed in a prospective randomized study in combination with 5-FU systemic infusions.

Acute inflammatory intestinal vascular lesions and in situ abnormalities of the plasminogen activation system in Crohn's disease.

OBJECTIVES: The distribution of the intestinal vascular lesions and their relation with the fibrinolysis process are poorly known in Crohn's disease (CD). The mediators of the plasminogen activator system, namely urokinase-type plasminogen activator (u-PA), tissue-type plasminogen activator (t-PA) and plasminogen activator inhibitor type-1 (PAI-1), are a key complex involved in fibrinolysis. The aims of this study were: (1) to further define vascular lesions and their distribution in the intestine; and (2) to study concomitantly the qualitative in situ expression and the levels of u-PA, t-PA and PAI-1 in the ileum of patients with CD. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Histological, immunohistochemical and ultrastructural studies of vascular lesions in the resected ileum of 27 patients with CD were performed and compared with 36 control patients. Levels of u-PA, t-PA and PAI-1 measured by ELISA methods were compared in healthy and inflamed ileal tissues of 17 patients with CD. RESULTS: Acute vascular lesions involving mainly serosal venules and capillaries were present in 63% of patients with CD vs 3/36 controls and were associated with PAI-1 expression. They were prominent on the mesenteric border beneath macroscopically normal mucosa. In contrast, chronic vascular lesions were present in all layers beneath mucosal ulcerations, where a significant increase of PAI-1 levels was found. CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that vascular involvement associated with abnormalities of PAI-1 expression is an early and widespread event in CD. Their prominence on the mesenteric border might explain the characteristic location of CD ulceration along the mesenteric margin.

Bronchial carcinoids.

Seventy-four bronchial carcinoids were observed over a period of 20 years, representing 69.7% of so-called "benign" tumors and 3.8% of all bronchial tumors resected during the same period of time. The tumors were centrally located in 59 cases and peripheral in 14 cases. From 54 biopsies, the preoperative diagnosis was accurate for 27, presumed for 15, doubtful for 15 and erroneous for 7 patients. Surgery was performed on 73 patients: 7 bronchotomies, 3 enucleations, 2 wedge resections, 5 segmentectomies, 35 lobectomies, 4 lobectomies with sleeve resections, 11 bilobectomies and 6 pneumonectomies. One patient died postoperatively. All the tumors were considered as carcinoids on initial microscopical examination. There were 4 cases of associated tumors. Six patients developed recurrence and 9 patients died from another cause. A pathology review changed the diagnosis into neuroendocrine carcinoma in 2 cases. Carcinoids should be considered and resected as carcinomas in the majority of cases, because of possible errors in diagnosis, of the effect of obstruction, of tumoral associations and of lymphatic involvement. Recurrences are possible.

[Intestinal surgery in the treatment of stenoses of the small intestine in Crohn disease]. / Les plasties intestinales dans le traitement des sténoses de l'intestin grêle au cours de la maladie de Crohn.

Strictureplasty is an alternative to extensive and/or multiple small bowel resections in the surgical treatment of Crohn's disease. We here report a series of 22 patients (12 M-10 F--mean age years: 28). All patients had a non-perforative form of Crohn's disease lasting for a mean of 8 years. Nine out of 22 had had previous intestinal resection. A total of 201 stenosis was identified during peroperative examination (mean per patient: 9). Only tight stenoses (diameter < 2 cms) were treated while others were left untouched (n = 22 in 11 patients). Eighty-three stenoses were treated by short strictureplasty and 24 by long strictureplasty using steel thread. One or several resections were simultaneously performed in 15 patients. Mortality was nil. A post operative abscess without loosened suture was drained. The mean follow-up in the 22 patients was 24 months (3-7 years). Clinical and radiological symptoms of stenosis were relieved after strictureplasty. Clinical recurrence occurred in 5 patients among 12 followed-up more than 2 years. Subsequent surgery was required in 4: in one case hemorrhagic ulceration developed within a long strictureplasty and in 3 others stenosis developed in plasty areas but also in previously healthy areas. In conclusion, strictureplasty is a short and long-term efficient procedure in the treatment of Crohn's disease stenosis. It allows limiting extensive intestinal resection. A more prolonged follow-up is needed in order to evaluate the rate of long-term recurrence and complications that would limit the interest of this technique.

[Excluded rectum during Crohn's diseases: what is the risk of dysplasia?]. / Rectums exclus au cours de la maladie de Crohn: quel est le risque de dysplasie?

OBJECTIVES: An excluded rectum may be at risk of carcinoma in the course of Crohn's disease. Surveillance of patients requires detection of dysplasia. The aim of our study was to determine the frequency of dysplasia from secondary proctectomy specimens in active rectal Crohn's disease. METHODS: Twenty three patients (13 women and 10 men, median age 38 years) were studied. The median duration of rectal exclusion was four years. Detection of dysplasia relied upon histopathology. Immunohistochemistry with MIB-1 (Ki-67) and anti-p53 (clone DO7) antibodies was performed as well. RESULTS: Frequency of dysplasia was 30%. This was low grade dysplasia, focally observed in proctectomy specimens. MIB-1 was positive on 46% of dysplastic cells. There was no expression of p53 protein. CONCLUSIONS: These results must be taken into account for decision of secondary proctectomy, in patients having an excluded rectum for Crohn's disease, when ileorectal anastomosis is not possible. Rectal endoscopic surveillance is advisable with multiple biopsies according to focal distribution of dysplasia.

[Pregnancy after hepatic transplantation: what is the maternal risk?]. / Grossesse après transplantation hépatique: quel est le risque maternel?

OBJECTIVES AND METHODS: We report 7 pregnancies which occurred from 1988 to 1995 in 5 women who underwent liver transplantation. The immunosuppression regimen associated cyclosporine, azathioprine and prednisone. RESULTS: Mean age at conception was 25. During pregnancy, cholestasis occurred in 2 women. None of the patients experienced rejection. An increase in serum creatinine was observed in 3 cases. Serum uric acid increased in the third trimester of pregnancy in 6 cases, associated with arterial hypertension in 3 cases. In 4 cases, toxemia led to premature delivery. Seven childbirths occurred between the 34th and 38th week of gestation, by vaginal delivery (n = 3) or caesarean section (n = 4). Newborn weights ranged from 1,350 g to 3,100 g. A favorable outcome was observed in all mothers, with a follow-up ranging from 2 months to 7 years after delivery. CONCLUSION: These results suggest that a successful pregnancy is possible after liver transplantation in young women with normal hepatic function and treated with cyclosporine. The risk of toxemia is mainly related to renal function before pregnancy.

[Malignant mesenchymoma of mesentery. A controversial entity]. / Mésenchymome malin du mésentère. Une entité controversée.

We report a case of malignant mesenchymoma developed in the mesentery in a 62-year-old man with no past history. It was an huge mass in the mesentery of the ileum. The tumor was composed of areas of chondrosarcoma and rhabdomyosarcoma in addition to an undifferentiated fusiform component. Malignant mesenchymoma is a rare sarcoma occurring preferentially in the retroperitoneum or the thigh. The location in the mesentery is exceptional. Malignant mesenchymoma is discussed more particularly with dedifferentiated liposarcoma with heterologous elements. The patient is alive without recurrence three years after surgery.

[Surgical treatment of Crohn disease of the small intestine]. / Traitement chirurgical de la maladie de Crohn de l'intestin grêle.

Crohn's disease is potentially panintestinal and early, wide resections do not always prevent recurrences. The current approach is to intervene when indicated by the clinical situation and to perform small intestine-saving procedures. Resections remove involved zones and a limited margin of healthy tissue. Laparoscopic procedures have been developed, particularly for ileocaecal resection. These resections are followed by a high recurrence rate, mainly anastomotic, requiring reoperations. No technical factor appears to be involved in the appearance of these recurrences and their prevention is based on medical treatment of limited efficacy. At best augmentation plasties of stenoses save the length of the small intestine. They are particularly indicated in the case of stenoses at various levels of the small intestine. They are performed safely and effectively. However, the recurrence and reoperation rates are at least equal to those of resections. The indications for surgery are primarily emergencies: intestinal perforation, obstruction, haemorrhage. Sepsis of the peritoneal cavity may justify deferred restoration of intestinal continuity, with creation of a stoma. Forms complicated by an abscess may benefit from elective drainage followed by secondary resection. In the case of fistulas, it is important to spare the "target" structure, intestine or bladder, as far as possible in order to limit the extent of resection. In poorly tolerated chronic forms, refractory to medical treatment, the decision to operate must not be delayed. Surgery generally provides improvement of the patient's condition and the consequences of intestinal resection are less serious than those of the spontaneous course of lesions which are left untreated for too long.

[Is endoscopy of the respiratory-digestive tract under general anesthesia useful in the screening for cancer of the superior respiratory-digestive tract synchronous with lung cancer?]. / L'endoscopie des voies aéro-digestives sous anesthésie générale est-elle utile au dépistage des cancers des voies aéro-digestives supérieures synchrones des cancers bronchiques?

The frequency of lung cancers associated with synchronous head and neck malignancies can be evaluated between 1.5 to 2%. The purpose of our work was to determine if complete endoscopic head and neck examination performed under general anesthesia was superior than clinical head and neck examination for the diagnosis of these synchronous additional tumors. From july 1991 to august 1992, we realised a prospective study on 58 consecutive patients suffering from pulmonary removable lung cancers. All the patients had a clinical head and neck examination during the preoperative period. Immediately before thoracotomy a complete endoscopy of head and neck aerian and digestive tract was performed. During this last examination 18 new macroscopical lesions were discovered in 13 patients: benign lesions (n = 17), oral cavity and laryngeal dysplasia (n = 1). The one gingivolingual sulcus carcinoma, already discovered by the clinical examination, was confirmed. This study suggests that complete head and neck endoscopy is not superior than clinical examination for the diagnosis of synchronous malignancies before lung cancers removal.

[Value of puncture-biopsy under computed tomography of adrenal masses associated with bronchial cancer]. / Intérêt de la ponction-biopsie sous guidage tomodensitométrique des masses surrénaliennes associées au cancer bronchique.

In patients with a non small cell bronchogenic carcinoma, the detection on a CT scan of a uni or bilateral adrenal gland mass requires determination of its metastatic nature. CT guided needle biopsy (CTGB) is a minimally invasive method and allowed us to achieve this goal. From August 1986 to October 1992, 30 patients underwent such a biopsy. In 14 cases, a metastasis was diagnosed and in 13 cases the mass was benign. There were 3 false negative results. Two of these were rectified: one by a second CTGB and the other by adrenalectomy. Our results showed that CT scan was unable to discriminate metastasis from benign masses. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) was used for 11 patients and seemed to be a more accurate method: allowing detection of a pheochromocytoma and avoiding a CTGB which may have been dangerous, predicting the benign nature of some masses when they were iso-intense in relation to the liver on T2 weighted images. Thus, even with the contribution of MRI, in most cases of bronchogenic carcinomas coexisting with an adrenal gland mass, CTGB appeared essential to determine correct therapy: surgery or medical treatment.

[Complications and course after proctectomy for Crohn disease]. / Complications et évolution après proctectomie pour maladie de Crohn.

The decision to perform protectomy must be considered very seriously in the course of Crohn's disease. The objectives of this study were to evaluate the consequences of this procedure: healing, sexual disorders, quality of life and the subsequent course of the disease. From 1981 to 1993, we performed 24 proctectomies: 15 females, 9 males, mean age: 39 years (18-76), mean preoperating time: 9 +/- 4 years. Rectal and anoperineal lesions were always accompanied by pancolitis; ileal involvement was observed in 11 cases (45%) at the time of diagnosis of Crohn's disease, and in 4 cases at the time of proctectomy. Proctectomy was performed after a period of rectal exclusion in 19 patients, while the rectum was not isolated for 5 others, including 2 patients after total colectomy. The indication for surgery was based on the coexistence of a microrectum (n = 16), anal stenosis (n = 15), rectovaginal or complex fistulas (n = 15). Technical features were: close rectal dissection (n = 19), levator muscle preservation (n = 7), wall effraction (n = 8), primary closure (n = 6) or perineal wound packing (n = 8). Mean follow-up: 44 +/- 24 months, statistical analysis: Fisher's test, Wilcoxon's test and Kaplan-Meier method. No perioperative deaths were observed. An intraperitoneal collection required drainage. Mean hospital stay was 21 days. Sexual complications were: dyspareunia (n = 3), ejaculation failure (n = 1), not correlated to the type of dissection. Perineal wound healing was considered to be normal when it took less than 6 months (n = 14).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)