Predictive factors for successful sacral nerve stimulation in the treatment of faecal incontinence: results of trial stimulation in 200 patients.

AIM: Sacral nerve stimulation (SNS) has a place in the treatment algorithm for faecal incontinence (FI). However, after implantation, 15-30% of patients with FI fail to respond for unknown reasons. We investigated the effect of SNS on continence and quality of life (QOL) and tried to identify specific predictive factors of the success of permanent SNS in the treatment of FI. METHOD: Two hundred consecutive patients (six men; median age = 60; range 16-81) underwent permanent implantation for FI. The severity of FI was evaluated by the Cleveland Clinic Score. Quality of life was evaluated by the French version of the American Society of Colon and Rectal Surgeons (ASCRS) quality of life questionnaire (FIQL). All patients underwent a preoperative evaluation. After permanent implantation, severity and QOL scores were reevaluated after six and 12 months and then once a year. RESULTS: The severity scores were significantly reduced during SNS (P = 0.001). QOL improved in all domains. At the 6-month follow-up, the clinical outcome of the permanent implant was not affected by age, gender, duration of symptoms, QOL, main causes of FI, anorectal manometry or endoanal ultrasound results. Only loose stool consistency (P = 0.01), persistent FI even though diarrhoea was controlled by medical treatment (P = 0.004), and low stimulation intensity (P = 0.02) were associated with improved short-term outcomes. Multivariate analysis confirmed that loose stool consistency and low stimulation intensity were related to a favourable outcome. CONCLUSION: Stool consistency and low stimulation intensity have been identified as predictive factors for the short-term outcome of SNS.

Sacral nerve stimulation in faecal incontinence: position statement based on a collective experience.

OBJECTIVE: Since the first paper published by Matzel et al., in 1995, on the efficacy of sacral nerve stimulation (SNS) in patients with faecal incontinence, the indications, the contraindications, the stimulation technique and follow up of implanted patients have changed. The aim of this article was to provide a consensus opinion on the management of patients with faecal incontinence treated with SNS. METHOD: Recommendations were based on a critical review of the literature when available and on expert opinions in areas with insufficient evidence. RESULTS: We have reviewed the indications and contraindications, proposed an algorithm for patient management showing the place of SNS. The temporary test technique, the implantation technique, the patient follow up and the approach in case of treatment failure were discussed. CONCLUSION: We hope not only to provide a guide on patient management to clinical practitioners interested in SNS but also to harmonize our practices.

Long-term healing of Crohn's anal fistulas with fibrin glue injection.

BACKGROUND: Injecting fibrin glue has proved to be an effective means of treating anal fistulas (AF). There has been some debate, however, as to whether this technique should be used on the AF often involved in Crohn's disease (CD). AIM: To assess the effectiveness of injecting heterologous fibrin glue as a means of treating AF refractory to immunosuppressive treatment in patients with CD. METHODS: Fourteen CD patients (five men and nine women, average age 42 years) presenting with refractory AFs were included in this study. Heterologous fibrin glue was injected into the fistula tract under general anaesthesia under continuous endosonographic monitoring using a 7.5-MHz blind linear probe. The patients were followed up clinically and ultrasonographically for 3 months after the procedure, and then at regular intervals. RESULTS: Three months after the fibrin glue injection, the fistulas had completely dried up in 10 patients (71%), the leakage had decreased in one patient (7%), and no improvement was observed in the other three patients (21%). Endosonographic findings showed that the fistula tract had completely disappeared in two cases (14%). The fistula tract was found to be non-permeable in eight cases (57%), and no change in the fistula was observed in four patients (29%). At the end of the follow-up period [average 23.4 months (12-26 months)], the leakage had completely dried up in eight of the 14 patients (57%). No side effects were observed. CONCLUSION: Nearly 2 years after the use of a heterologous fibrin glue to treat an AF, over half of the patients with CD showed clinical signs of remission. Because it is easy to use and harmless as well as being effective, this method provides a good alternative to classical methods of surgical treatment.

Effects of alverine citrate on cat intestinal mechanoreceptor responses to chemical and mechanical stimuli.

BACKGROUND: Alverine citrate is commonly used in the treatment of painful affections of the colon. AIM: To determine whether alverine citrate acts on the vagal sensory endings. METHODS: Unitary recordings were performed at the level of the vagal fibres in the nodose ganglion of anaesthetized cats using extracellular glass microelectrodes, and the patterns of response to chemical and mechanical stimuli applied to identified vagal intestinal mechanoreceptors were studied. RESULTS: The intestinal mechanoreceptors located at the endings of type C vagal fibres responded mainly to mechanical stimuli (distension and contraction), but also responded to chemical substances (cholecystokinin and substance P). The most conspicuous effect of alverine (2 mg/kg) was that it significantly inhibited the pattern of vagal activity produced in response to either cholecystokinin (5-10 microg/kg), substance P (5-10 microg/kg) or phenylbiguanide (5-10 microg/kg), a 5-HT3 receptor agonist. On the other hand, the unitary vagal response to the mechanical distension was slightly enhanced by alverine, as was any spontaneous activity present. CONCLUSIONS: Based on the present data, alverine citrate can be said to decrease the sensitivity of the intestinal mechanoreceptors, which is consistent with its previously established anti-spasmodic effects.

Evidence for supraspinal nervous control of external anal sphincter motility in the cat.

The aim of this study was to investigate the role of noradrenergic descending nervous pathways in external anal sphincter motility. For this purpose, the effects of intravenously injected adrenoceptor antagonist and agonist on the tonic electrical activity of this sphincter were studied in anesthetized cats. The effects of stimulating the region of the locus coeruleus and the effects of intravenous, intracerebroventricular and intrathecal injection of the above drugs on the electromyographic responses of this muscle to pudendal nerve stimulation were also investigated. The tonic sphincteric activity and the reflex response triggered by electrically stimulating pudendal afferent nerve fibers were inhibited by alpha1-adrenoceptor antagonist nicergoline and enhanced by alpha1-adrenoceptor agonist phenylephrine. Stimulation of the locus coeruleus area either inhibited or enhanced the reflex responses. Intracerebroventricular and intrathecal injection of the alpha2-adrenoceptor agonists, morphine and leu-enkephalin decreased the amplitude of these reflex responses. All the effects of opioids were blocked by naloxone and by spinalization performed at the cervical and lumbar levels. The direct response elicited by stimulating the sphincteric motor axons was not affected either by these drugs or by the brainstem stimulation. These results suggests the existence of a pontine neuronal network controlling the motility of the external anal sphincter via noradrenergic and opioid neurons.

Bilateral bronchial anastomosis in double lung and heart-lung transplantations.

During heart-lung or double lung transplantation, the airway anastomosis is usually made at the tracheal level. Healing of this anastomosis is one source of postoperative complications especially after double lung transplantation (DLT). In this series of 10 patients with cystic fibrosis undergoing DLT, the tracheas of donor and recipient were anastomosed with omental wrapping in 2 cases while the two main stem bronchi were joined without omental wrapping in 8. Endoscopy disclosed no sign of ischaemia in the patients with bilateral bronchial anastomoses. Three patients died on day 20, 21 and 35, respectively, after DLT. Two of these patients (one with a tracheal and the other with bronchial anastomoses) showed no complication at the level of the suture line. The third patient (with bronchial suture) suffered dehiscence of both anastomoses which was attributed to a misdosage of corticosteroids. Of the 6 patients alive after bronchial anastomosis, 3 recovered uneventfully and 3 who had required prolonged postoperative mechanical ventilation developed bronchomalacia. Bronchomalacia was treated by laser resection and stenting. Dehiscence did not occur in any of these six cases. This technique was based on the findings of 12 fresh cadaver dissections showing that collaterals between the bronchial arteries and the pulmonary arteries and veins extend up to the origin of the main stem bronchus. Bronchial suture without omental wrap may be used for double lung and heart-lung transplantation instead of tracheal suture.

The value of histological study by surface analysis of preserved and injected pancreatic grafts: a prospective controlled study in dogs.

To evaluate the effects of pancreas preservation and pancreatic duct obliteration on the endocrine pancreas, three groups of dogs were used: a control group (six) in which histologic analysis of normal pancreas was performed and two randomized groups (seven) from which the caudal pancreas was auto-transplanted, injected with fibrin glue and removed on the 28th day. In Group A, each graft was flushed out with Euro-Collins' solution and immediately transplanted. In Group B, each graft was preserved 24 hours in a preservation solution and transplanted. Islet surface ratios on the sections and mean islet surfaces were greater in the control group than in Group A (p = 0.011 and 0.023) and no different between control group and Group B (p = 0.334 and 0.099). This surface analysis study suggests that the mode of management of grafts in itself explains the alteration of endocrine pancreas and that obliteration of the pancreatic ducts has little influence on this alteration.

[Laparoscopic replacement of the abdominal aorta. Experimental study in the pig]. / Remplacement laparoscopique de l'aorte abdominale. Etude expérimentale chez le porc.

BACKGROUND: Progress in abdominal laparoscopy led us to study end-to-end anastomoses performed laparoscopically. METHOD: An experimental protocol in 10 castrated male pigs weighing 74-95 kg was approved by the ethics committee. After conventional anesthesia, each animal was positioned in lateral decubitus and a retropneumoperitoneum was created. CO2 inflation was maintained at 14 mmHg for insertion of 3 trocars, 5 to 10 mm width. The entire infrarenal aorta was dissected and resected with insertion of a 6 mm dacron prosthesis. Postoperative arteriography was performed in all cases. The animal was sacrificed for direct examination. RESULTS: One animal died during anesthesia induction and the entire protocol was conducted in 9 animals. Mean operative time was 397 min (305-535 min) including a mean 123 min (65-150) for aortic dissection, 82 min (30-155) for proximal anastomosis and 70 min (45-105) for distal anastomosis. Total blood loss varied from 100 to 450 cc (mean 252 cc). Mean difference between pre- and postoperative hematocrits was 4% (0-6%). Among the 18 aortic anastomoses performed, arteriography showed one with moderate leakage and one anastomotic thrombus. Stenosis > 50% was found in 4 cases and < 50% in 4 cases. Analysis of the different operative parameters showed a learning curve with decreasing operative time and improved quality of the anastomoses. CONCLUSION: This study demonstrates the feasibility of aortic reconstruction via retroperitoneal laparoscopy in the animal. This procedure could be introduced in man.

Staging of rectal cancer: a prospective study of digital examination and endosonography before and after preoperative radiotherapy.

Between January 1988 and January 1992, 34 patients with rectal cancer were evaluated both by clinical examination and endosonography before and after pre-operative radiotherapy. Two criteria were correlated with histologic findings: confinement to the rectal wall or spread beyond, the presence of mesorectal lymph node involvement. The 32 patients who underwent endosonography before radiotherapy were staged as: uT2: 4, uT3: 26, uT4: 2 cases. Fifteen days after irradiation, endosonography showed tumour regression in all cases; uT stage was different in 15 patients, uN stage in 4 cases. Comparison of the pre-operative local invasion beyond the rectal wall with postoperative histopathy revealed a correlation with: digital examination after radiotherapy in 20 of the 31 patients with palpable tumours; endosonography before irradiation in 18 of the 32 staged tumours; endosonography after irradiation in 25 of the 32 staged tumours. The presence of mesorectal lymph node involvement determined by histologic examination was correlated with the results of endosonography after radiotherapy for 22 of the 32 staged tumours. Endosonography provides a good assessment of the tumour stage before irradiation. Since radiotherapy alters endosonographic staging of rectal cancer, this staging should be included in survival studies.

[Treatment of recurrent ulcers after parietal cell vagotomy. Analysis of 18 cases]. / Traitement des récidives ulcéreuses après vagotomie fundique. Analyse de dix-huit observations.

One hundred and twenty seven patients had a follow-up of more than 4 years after parietal cell vagotomy for duodenal, pyloric or prepyloric ulcer. The recurrence rate is 15.8% (20 on 127). Eighteen patients who have recurred, had a follow-up of 2 years or more after treatment of the recurrent disease. Ten patients had a early recurrence (within 2 years); eight had a late one (more than 2 years). One patient had been operated as an emergency for perforation. Seventeen patients had first received a medical treatment. This treatment was sufficient for 10 out of 17. Seven patients were reoperated (3 partial gastrectomy), 4 partial gastrotomy associated with truncal vagotomy. Seven out of the 10 early recurrences was reoperated and only one of the 8 late recurrences was reoperated. The early recurrences seem to be more serious that the late ones. Medical treatment is always prescribed as first line therapy and a partial gastrectomy alone or with vagotomy is necessary in unsuccessful cases.

[Video-assisted total proctocolectomy with ileoanal anastomosis]. / Coloproctectomie totale avec anastomose iléoanale vidéoassistée.

The indication for laparoscopy in digestive surgery has evolved with the development of the laparoscopic material as well its increasingly frequent practice in the medical community. Those complex operations such as restorative proctocolectomy require a high level of technical skill as well as a specifically designed operative approach. The study aim was to report our experience of the video-assisted approach to restorative proctocolectomy.

[Laparoscopic posterior fundoplication in gastroesophageal reflux: mid-term results]. / Fundoplicature postérieure coelioscopique pour reflux gastro-oesophagien: résultats à moyen terme.

STUDY AIM: The aim of this study was to report the mid-term results of the surgical management of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) by laparoscopic posterior partial fundoplication (Toupet technique) in 100 patients, and to evaluate their post-operative quality of life. PATIENTS AND METHOD: Between November 1993 and January 2000, 100 patients were surgically treated for a medically refractory GERD. Laparoscopic posterior partial fundoplication was performed by the Toupet technique. In the postoperative period, the patients were asked to answer a questionnaire by telephone. The aim of this survey was three-fold: to identify clinical symptoms indicative of recurrence; to evaluate postoperative functional impairment; to assess the postoperative quality of life. pH monitoring was also proposed in asymptomatic patients at a minimum follow-up of two years, and in all patients with clinical symptoms of GERD recurrence. RESULTS: Six laparotomy conversions were necessary. The mean duration of follow-up was 18 months (range: 6 to 57 months). The rate of clinically diagnosed recurrence was 7.6%. Intermittent dysphagia was observed in 2.3% of cases. Postoperative digestive functional disorders were noted in 53% of patients without clinical recurrence, and 95.3% of them were satisfied or very satisfied with the results of surgery. CONCLUSION: Laparoscopic posterior partial fundoplication by the Toupet technique can satisfactorily treat GERD without mid-term recurrence in about 94% of cases. Patient satisfaction seems mainly to depend on the disappearance of clinical symptoms of GERD. It was found that postoperative functional disorders frequently occurred, but were well tolerated. Their etiology has not yet been determined, and it is considered that factors other than the surgical procedure may also play a role.

[Two stage videoassisted restorative proctocolectomy. Early experience of 12 cases]. / Coloproctectomie totale avec anastomose iléoanale en deux temps vidéoassistée. Expérience initiale de 12 cas.

AIM OF THE STUDY: This study reports our early experience in two-stage video assisted restorative proctocolectomy (RPC). PATIENTS AND METHODS: From May 1999 to May 2003, 12 video assisted RPCs were performed (mucosal ulcerative colitis: n = 11; familial adenomatous polyposis: n = 1). These patients were matched for age, gender, body mass index and indication for surgery, with 12 patients who underwent RPC by laparotomy (open group). RESULTS: Median operative time was significantly longer in the video assisted RPC group (400 min; range: 360-490) vs open group (300 min; range: 210-390) (P = 0.003). A conversion in midline laparotomy (under the umbilicus) was necessary in 3/12 patients (25%) in the video assisted RPC group. Return to bowel function and oral intake occurred two days earlier after video assisted RPC (respectively, P = 0.009 and P = 0.0001) but length of stay was not significantly shorter in this group. A complication occurred in 3/12 patients (25%) in both groups, which lead to a reoperation in one patient in the open group (ns). CONCLUSION: Two-stage videoassisted RPC is feasible at the cost of a lengthening of operative time, Nevertheless postoperative results after video assisted RPC are comparable to those obtained after RPC by laparotomy.

[Necrotizing enterocolitis during pregnancy in a woman operated on at six months of Hirschsprung's disease]. / Entérocolite nécrosante en fin de grossesse chez une femme opérée à l'âge de six mois d'une maladie de Hirschsprung.

Necrotizing enterocolitis is a rare and severe complication of Hischsprung's disease. Aggravation of unknown or undertreated Hischsprung's disease may be seen during pregnancy. To our knowledge, the following case is the first combining those two elements: necrotizing enterocolitis in a 20 years old women operated on of Hischsprung's disease when she was six months. The final diagnosis was made 24 hours later. Definitive treatment was a three-stage ileal pouch-anal anastomosis.

[Pancreatic conservation after autotransplantation in dogs. Value of histologic surface analysis]. / Conservation pancréatique aprés auto-transplantation chez le chien. Intérêt d'une étude histologique par analyse de surface.

A study of an artificial conservation fluid (hyperosmolar, pH = 8, rich in lactobionate and raffinose) was carried out by means of an experimental procedure involving segmental pancreatic autotransplants in dogs. The study covers 14 transplants, seven carried out without conservation and seven with 24-hour conservation at 4 degrees C. The caudal pancreas was removed after splenectomy and either transfused with 250 ml of 4 degrees C Euro-Collins before immediate transplant or with 250 ml of 4 degrees C conservation fluid for 24 hours before the transplant. The caudal pancreas was transplanted onto the right iliac vessels, while an arterio-venous fistula was created on the distal splenic vessels and the pancreatic duct was injected with modified tissucol. At the same time as the transplant, a cephalic pancreatectomy was performed. Laboratory tests included an intra venous glucose tolerance test monitored on days 0 and 28 and blood glucose and serum amylase measured every three days from days 1 to 28. The histological study of the pancreatic tissues 28 days after the transplants involved the light microscopic evaluation of the degree of fibrosis, inflammation of the pancreas, cystosteatonecrosis and peripancreatic inflammation. We used a computerized method to measure the surface area of the islets of Langerhans, as revealed by immunocytochemistry, and the surface area of fibrosis. The blood glucose and the serum amylase analyses from days 1 to 28, and the blood glucose variations during the intra venous glucose tolerance test, showed no differences between the two groups. Standard laboratory parameters were similar in the two groups.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

[Cancer of the rectum. Results of a prospective study comparing preoperative rectal touch and transrectal ultrasonography with postoperative histopathology before and after preoperative radiotherapy]. / Cancer du rectum. Résultats d'une étude prospective comparant les données du toucher rectal et de l'échographie endo-rectale, aux données de l'histologie, avant et après radiothérapie pré-opératoire.

Between January 1988 and December 1990, 23 patients with rectal cancer were evaluated by clinical staging (23) and transrectal sonography before (22, one complete stenosis) and after radiotherapy (21). Two criteria were correlated with histological findings: a) the confinement to the rectal wall or spread beyond and b) the presence of meso-rectal lymph node involvement. The 22 patients who underwent transrectal sonography before radiotherapy were staged as uT2: 3 cases, uT3: 17 cases and uT4:2 cases. Fifteen days after irradiation, transrectal sonography showed a regression on the tumor in all cases; the uT stage was different in 9 patients but there was no change in the uN stage. The comparison of the preoperative clinical and sonographic assessment of local invasion beyond the rectal wall with postoperative histopathology revealed a correlation: a) with digital examination in 13 of the 21 patients with palpable tumors, b) with transrectal sonography before irradiation in 12 of the 22 staged tumors, c) with transrectal sonography after irradiation in 17 of the 21 staged tumors. The presence of meso-rectal lymph node involvement determined by histologic examination was correlated with the results of transrectal sonography for 14 of the 21 staged tumors. Transrectal sonography provides a good assessment of the tumor stage before irradiation. This stage should be considered for the study of survival.

[Autotransfusion in acute hemoperitoneum]. / L'autotransfusion des hémopéritoines aigus

This procedure is well known, there were 2 000 cases reported in the literature with a very small number of complications. Is autotransfusion really efficacious? According to the author's results in 9 cases of hemoperitoneum, the red cells obtained by this method are quantitatively valid, but hemolysis starts early (6 hours) and the disappearance of the platelets and coagulation factors occurs even more early (2 hours). However, clinical tolerance is perfect, thus confirming the good experimental results obtained in animals. The true limits are hemolysis and the risk of contamination but, with appropriate apparatus and precise indications, and unsoiled blood, less than 24 hours old, autotransfusion is a good method which may provide a solution in certain emergencies.

[Atrio-caval shunt in injury to the suprahepatic vena cava. Apropos of a case and review of the literature]. / Shunt atrio-cave pour désinsertion cavo-sus-hépatique. A propos d'un cas et revue de la littérature.

Mortality in cases of trauma-induced lesions of the suprahepatic vena cava is high because it is difficult to expose the lesions, and consequently to control blood loss. Several techniques have been reported for treating this type of lesion. We report a case in which both suprahepatic veins were sutured after installing an atrio-cava shunt via a sternotomy. The limitations of this technique and other surgical possibilities are also discussed.

[Role of formalin in the occurrence of sclerosing lesions of the bile ducts. Experimental approach in dogs. Apropos of 3 clinical cases]. / Le rôle du formol dans la survenue de lésions sclérosantes des voies biliaires. Approche expérimentale chez le chien. A propos de 3 observations cliniques.

The authors experimentally reproduced in dogs, sclerosing lesions of biliary tract similar to those that they noticed in clinical practice, after the use of a formalin solution for sterilization of the hydatid cysts of the liver. These lesions have been found with formalin solutions more concentrated than those used in surgical treatment of liver echinococcosis. Nevertheless, even with the use of lower concentrated solution in every case, inflammatory scars are produced in the liver and the biliary tract with persist several months after the formalin injection consequently, the authors recommend to forsake the abandonment of this product for surgical treatment of hydatid cyst.