Anatomic and functional results of ventral biological mesh rectopexy for posterior pelvic floor disorders.

INTRODUCTION: Ventral mesh rectopexy (VMR) is the gold standard for rectal prolapse surgery, but the type of mesh reinforcement is still a matter of debate. The aim of this study was to assess the anatomic and functional results of a single center cohort of patients receiving ventral rectopexy with biological mesh compared to a reference group who had implantation of synthetic mesh. We also assessed the predictive factors for recurrence. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Seventy patients (2015-2021) were included in the biological mesh group and were compared to a reference group of 345 patients operated on with a synthetic mesh (2004-2017). RESULTS: In the biological mesh group, the mean age of patients was 65 years (53-72). The main disorders of the posterior pelvic floor were rectal prolapse (30 cases) or rectocele (37 cases). Two patients had solitary rectal ulcer syndrome and one had internal prolapse. VMR was performed by a laparoscopic approach with robotic assistance in 93%. After a median follow-up of 12 (4.5-23) months, the anatomic recurrence rate was 10%. The median satisfaction score assessed in a telephone interview by a semi-quantitative scale from 0 to 10 was 7. Compared to the synthetic group, neither the morbidity rate (Dindo>2) (0.6% synthetic versus 1.4% biological mesh), nor the recurrence rate (12% synthetic versus 10% biological (ns) with an average interval of 13.5 versus 14 months, respectively) were statistically significantly different. CONCLUSION: VMR with biological mesh represents an alternative to synthetic mesh. Despite its resorbable nature, biological mesh does not seem to increase the risk of recurrence and offers satisfying functional results after a medium term follow-up.

Is robotic-assisted ventral mesh rectopexy superior to laparoscopic ventral mesh rectopexy in the management of obstructed defaecation?

AIM: Function, morbidity and recurrence of symptoms after robotic-assisted ventral mesh rectopexy (RVMR) and laparoscopic ventral mesh rectopexy (LVMR) for pelvic floor disorders (PFDs) were compared. METHOD: Forty-four patients operated on for PFD with RVMR were compared with 74 of 144 patients who had had LVMR performed between 2008 and 2011. The groups were matched for age, body mass index, American Society of Anesthesiologists status and previous hysterectomy. The same surgical technique and type of mesh were used. Early postoperative morbidity and function [obstructed defaecation syndrome (ODS), incontinence scores (CCF) and sexual activity] were compared. RESULTS: Operation time was longer in RVMR compared with LVMR (191 ± 26 vs 163 ± 39 min; P = 0.0002). RVMR showed less blood loss (8 ± 34 vs 42 ± 88 ml; P = 0.012) and fewer early complications (2% vs 11%; P = 0.019). ODS and CCF scores improved in both groups. Patients after RVMR reported a better improvement in digitation, straining and satisfaction after defaecation. There was a statistically significant difference in the postoperative ODS score in favour of RVMR (P = 0.004). Sexually active patients in both groups reported a similar improvement. There was no difference in early recurrence (P = 0.692). CONCLUSION: Although not a randomized comparison, this study shows that ventral mesh rectopexy performed by the robot was followed by better function then LVMR.

Safety and efficacy of laparoscopic ventral mesh rectopexy for complex rectocele.

AIM: Laparoscopic ventral mesh rectopexy, previously described for external rectal prolapse, was evaluated for symptomatic complex rectocoele. METHOD: From January 2004 to December 2008, 84 (50.9%) patients (mean age 64 ± 5 years) underwent laparoscopic ventral mesh rectopexy for symptomatic complex rectocoele, confirmed preoperatively on dynamic defaecography, with 26 (31%) patients having a concurrent cystocoele. The operative technique was standardized, and those with cystocoele underwent bladder mesh suspension during the same procedure. Prospectively collected data were analysed for preoperative symptoms, operative and functional results [constipation, faecal incontinence (FI), dyspareunia and satisfaction score]. RESULTS: The conversion rate was 3.6% and perioperative morbidity 4.8% with no mortality. At a median follow up of 29 (4-59) months, there was a significant decrease in vaginal discomfort (86-20%) and obstructed defaecation symptoms (83-46%), P < 0.001. There was no significant change in FI (20-16%), no worsening of preoperative symptoms or new complaints of constipation, dyspareunia or FI. Overall, 88% of patients reported an improvement in overall well-being. CONCLUSION: Laparoscopic ventral mesh rectopexy is a safe and effective method for treating symptomatic complex rectocoele.

Large congenital transmesenteric hernia: a missed small-bowel atresia?

Internal hernias are uncommon diagnoses and represent rare causes of intestinal obstruction. Diagnoses are frequently made perioperatively. We present herein an illustrated case of transmesenteric hernia diagnosed in a pregnant woman who consulted for severe abdominal and dorsal pains. As CT scan was not possible because of the obstetric history, a decision to perform surgery was made because of acute pain, no history of previous surgery, and a plain erect X-ray disclosing early signs of intestinal obstruction. Perioperative findings were an ileal volvulus through a transmesenteric fossa circled by a unique ileocolic branch. This particular vascular disposition suggests transmesenteric hernias may be the first step in the constitution of congenital small-bowel atresia.

[Solid-pseudopapillary tumor of the pancreas: a clinical study of five cases, and review of the literature]. / Tumeurs pseudopapillaires et solides du pancréas : à propos de cinq cas et revue de la littérature.

INTRODUCTION: Solid pseudopapillary tumors of the pancreas are rare and their origin is unknown. The aim of this work was to report five new cases. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Retrospective study of data from patients operated on from 1983 to 2002 in a university hospital specialized in pancreatic surgery. Patients were identified in a prospectively constituted database of pathologic examinations. RESULTS: Five patients (three men and two women, aged from 15 to 69 years) underwent pancreatectomy for a solid pseudopapillary tumor, which was discovered fortuitously by imaging in three cases. Tumor diameter ranged from 4 to 15 cm. Diagnosis was made preoperatively in only one patient. There were three pancreaticoduodenectomies and two left pancreatectomies, with extension to the transverse colon due to vascular reasons in two cases. Only one significant complication occurred (one colonic fistula). With a follow-up ranging from 6 months to 6 years, all patients are alive without recurrence. CONCLUSIONS: Solid pseudopapillary tumors are not exceptional in men. Complete resection can need extension to neighboring organs but allows good long-term survival.

In vivo retrovirus-mediated gene transfer into lamb liver.

TOPIC: Highly efficient retrovirus-mediated gene transfer into hepatocytes in vivo has been previously reported in the rat. Before considering human applications of these techniques in the treatment of inherited liver diseases, it was necessary to document its efficiency in a large animal model. Lamb was choosen because the liver was similar to human liver regarding size and anatomy. MATERIALS AND METHODS: To induce hepatocyte division which is necessary for infection with retroviral particles, animals were subjected to a left hepatectomy. Kinetics of liver regeneration were assessed on sequential liver biopsies after partial hepatectomy in order to provide an evaluation of the peak of maximal liver regeneration in a first animal group. Recombinant retroviruses encoding a reporter gene (E. coli beta galactosidase) were then perfused through the portal vein of the regenerating liver in a second animal group. RESULTS: The more intense liver regeneration occurred from one to 6 days after partial hepatectomy, with the highest thymidine kinase rate and MIB-1 antibody staining on the second day. The proportion of genetically modified lamb hepatocytes expressing the reporter gene was less than 1%, despite the use of higher titers of retroviral particles than those described in previous reports. CONCLUSION: The results obtained in rodent livers with this in vivo gene transfer methodology cannot currently be scaled up in a large ruminant model. The efficacy of vectors has to be tested in other large mammals before planning gene therapy trials for the treatment of inherited liver diseases.