Rectopexy for paediatric rectal prolapse: good outcomes but not without postoperative problems.

PURPOSE: Rectopexy is a simple treatment of persisting complete rectal prolapse (RP) or related functional disorders in children. The results of rectopexy have been encouraging with few complications. We describe the postoperative complications and outcome of rectopexy in our institution from 2002 to 2013. METHODS: Ethical committee accepted the study. Hospital records of 27 successive patients (16 males), median age 7.2 (range 2.8-17) years, who underwent rectopexy (25 laparoscopic, 2 open) were reviewed. Indication for rectopexy included RP (n = 24), solitary rectal ulcer with enterocele (n = 2) and rectocele (n = 1). Nine patients (39 %) were healthy. In the remaining 14 patients, RP was secondary to anorectal malformation (n = 2), bladder exstrophy (n = 1), sacrococcygeal teratoma (n = 1) and myelomeningocele (n = 1) or associated with mental retardation (n = 8) and Asperger's syndrome (n = 1). Five (18 %) patients had constipation. Unexpected postoperative events and complications were rated by Clavien-Dindo classification (Grades I-V). RESULTS: Seventeen (61 %) patients had postoperative complications (Grade I n = 5, II n = 2 and III n = 7). Readmission was required in 11 (41 %) and reoperation, endoscopy or other surgical procedure in 9 (33 %) patients. Complications included severe faecal obstruction (n = 2), constipation (n = 3), faecal soiling (n = 1) urinary retention (n = 2), enuresis (n = 1), infection (n = 2), residual mucosal prolapse (n = 5), discomfort at defecation (n = 1) and recurrent RP (n = 2). Reoperations included sigmoid resection with re-rectopexy (n = 1), resection of mucosal prolapse (n = 1), suprapubic urinary catheter (n = 2), evacuation of faecal impaction (n = 2), colonoscopy (n = 3), appendicostomy for antegrade continence enema (n = 1). Mental retardation or behavioural disorder increased the risk of postoperative faecal obstruction and constipation RR = 84 (95 % CI 4.3-1600), p = 0.0035. After median follow-up of 4.1 (range 0.6-11) years RP or related condition was cured in 26 patients. Constipation and faecal soiling require management in a total of seven patients. CONCLUSIONS: Long-term results of rectopexy were good. Postoperative complications from mild to moderate grade were unexpectedly frequent. Preoperative neurobehavioural disorder and constipation increase the risk of postoperative problems and should be mentioned in patient counselling.

Poor symptomatic relief and quality of life in patients treated for "solitary rectal ulcer syndrome without external rectal prolapse".

BACKGROUND: Solitary rectal ulcer syndrome (SRUS) is a chronic disabling condition. Several therapeutic options have been advocated including conservative approaches and surgery, bringing into question their functional outcomes. This study aimed to assess treatment procedures on both anorectal complaints and quality of life (QoL) using standardised self-administered questionnaires. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Forty-one patients who underwent treatments for SRUS in two referral centres were reviewed. A standardised self-administered questionnaire including incontinence (Cleveland Clinic), constipation (Knowles-Eccersley-Scott symptom, KESS) and gastrointestinal quality of life index validated scoring systems was mailed to each patient (median follow-up, 36 months). Correlation between treatment options, functional results and quality of life was analysed. RESULTS: The mean Cleveland Clinic and KESS scores were respectively 5.3+/-5.8 (normal 0) and 19.1+/-8 (normal<9). The mean QoL score reached 89+/-28.8 (normal 125). A linear correlation between the QoL score and functional results was observed. There was no influence of treatment options on QoL results. A multivariate analysis identified five parameters predictive of a better QoL: presence of paradoxical puborectalis contraction, absence of descending perineum, absence of procidentia, age<40 and treatment exclusively based on laxatives. CONCLUSION: Despite several therapeutic options including surgery, patients with SRUS still frequently complain of disturbed anorectal function and significant alteration of their QoL.

Stapled transanal rectal resection in solitary rectal ulcer associated with prolapse of the rectum: a prospective study.

PURPOSE: At present, none of the conventional surgical treatments of solitary rectal ulcer associated with internal rectal prolapse seems to be satisfactory because of the high incidence of recurrence. The stapled transanal rectal resection has been demonstrated to successfully cure patients with internal rectal prolapse associated with rectocele, or prolapsed hemorrhoids. This prospective study was designed to evaluate the short-term and long-term results of stapled transanal rectal resection in patients affected by solitary rectal ulcer associated with internal rectal prolapse and nonresponders to biofeedback therapy. METHODS: Fourteen patients were selected on the basis of validated constipation and continence scorings, clinical examination, anorectal manometry, defecography, and colonoscopy and were submitted to biofeedback therapy. Ten nonresponders were operated on and followed up with incidence of failure, defined as no improvement of symptoms and/or recurrence of rectal ulceration, as the primary outcome measure. Operative time, hospital stay, postoperative pain, time to return to normal activity, overall patient satisfaction index, and presence of residual rectal prolapse also were evaluated. RESULTS: At a mean follow-up of 27.2 (range, 24-34) months, symptoms significantly improved, with 80 percent of excellent/good results and none of the ten operated patients showed a recurrence of rectal ulcer. Operative time, hospital stay, and time to return to normal activity were similar to those reported after stapled transanal rectal resection for obstructed defecation, whereas postoperative pain was slightly higher. One patient complained of perineal abscess, requiring surgery. DISCUSSION: The stapled transanal rectal resection is safe and effective in the cure of solitary rectal ulcer associated with internal rectal prolapse, with minimal complications and no recurrences after two years. Randomized trials with sufficient number of patients are necessary to compare the efficacy of stapled transanal rectal resection with the traditional surgical treatments of this rare condition.

The treatment of rectal prolapse in children with phenol in almond oil injection.

PURPOSE: The treatment of rectal prolapse in children is controversial. We report the results of injection sclerotherapy in children using phenol in almond oil (PAO) and discuss the occurrence of complications after the injection of PAO. METHODS: Nine children with rectal prolapse, aged from 2 years and 6 months to 14 years, were treated by PAO injection sclerotherapy between 1993 and 2000. The outcome of PAO injection sclerotherapy and the presence of complications were investigated from the point of anorectal function using anorectal manometry. RESULTS: All of the nine patients were cured after one to three injections without any complications. The manometric study showed that normal anorectal reflex and other parameters of the anorectum were found after injection sclerotherapy. Two of the 4 who had complained of constipation no longer had constipation after the therapy. CONCLUSIONS: PAO injection sclerotherapy is simple and should be recommended as a first method of treatment for rectal prolapse in children. PAO as a sclerosing agent did not cause any complications.

[Analysis in pulmonary ventilatory function from 100 patients with ano-rectal diseases caused by deficiency of qi].

OBJECTIVE: To explore the pathogenesis of ano-rectal diseases caused by deficiency of Qi, which is correlated with obstruction of pulmonary ventilation. METHODS: The pulmonary ventilatory function was measured in 100 patients with the internal piles, the interno-external hemorrhoid and prolapse of rectum, the prolapse of anus was the principal symptom of them. RESULTS: Data from the 100 patients showed that 67% of them were diagnosed with the obstruction of pulmonary ventilation, the ratio was far less in the health control group. FEV 1.0 (mean +/- s) (2011.65 +/- 875) ml, MMF (1.84 +/- 1.24) L/s and PEF (2.34 +/- 1.51) L/s in male patients, (1551.54 +/- 514) ml, (1.57 +/- 0.62) L/s and (1.85 +/- 0.92) L/s in female patients, but those values were higher in the control than in the patients. The statistical analysis was performed and the difference was significant between patients and the control group (P < 0.01). CONCLUSION: The patients with ano-rectal diseases caused by deficiency of Qi accompanied with obstruction of pulmonary ventilation in different degree and varied sorts, it confirmed that the pathogenesis of ano-rectal diseases caused by deficiency of Qi is related with "sinking of pectoral Qi".

The impact of anismus on the clinical outcome of rectocele repair.

There are doubts as to whether rectocele repair (RR) is beneficial for patients with concomitant anismus. The aim of this prospective study was to evaluate the effect of anismus on the clinical outcome of RR. In 71 out of 75 patients who underwent RR evacuation proctography (EP) was performed. Electromyography (EMG) of the pelvic floor and balloon expulsion test (BET) were carried out in 61 and 35 patients respectively. On EP, measuring the central anorectal angle (CARA) and the posterior anorectal angle (PARA), signs of anismus were found in 34 and 28 percent of the patients respectively. EMG and BET revealed anismus in 39 and 71 percent of the patients respectively. These results showed poor agreement. RR was successful in 53 (71%) out of 75 patients (follow up 14-74 months). No differences were found in clinical outcome in patients with and without signs of anismus. In conclusion, RR is beneficial for patients with obstructed defecation, and signs of anismus do not appear to be a contraindication for RR.

Vaginal repair of rectocele after dynamic graciloplasty for fecal incontinence due to imperforate anus.

A 35-years-old woman developed obstructed defecation due to a large (6 cm) non-emptying rectocele one year after successful electrostimulated gracilis neosphincter operation for correction of fecal incontinence after surgery for imperforate anus. Surgical correction of the rectocele was performed by a trans-vaginal approach due to the poor elasticity of the neoanus and avoidance of possible damage to the neosphincter. After physiological investigations, including defecography, the patient had a resection of the posterior vaginal mucosal wall, a double layer plication of the muscular wall with non-absorbable suture and a longitudinal mucosal suture. The postoperative course was uneventful. Defecography, performed 3 and 6 months later, showed a marked reduction of the rectocele (2 cm) which corresponded to clinical improvement. Occurrence of disabling rectocele can be considered a possible long term complication after successful electrostimulated neosphincter procedure in patients at risk for developing a rectocele; a successful repair can be obtained using trans-vaginal approach without the risk of neosphincter damage. Transvaginal repair of rectocele in similar clinical situations may be recommended.

Defecography.

Defecography is a technique of examining the rectum and anal canal in which the patient is studied while sitting down rather than recumbent and recordings are obtained both at rest and during straining. The authors describe their findings in 83 patients with dyschezia. Defecation was normal in 28 patients. Prolapse of the anal mucosa was seen in 13 patients and internal procidentia in 23, 12 of whom also had intussusception manifested as rectal prolapse. A deep rectogenital fossa associated with an enterocele was seen in 16 patients; 13 had a proctocele, while fecal retention was seen in 5. Descent of the pelvic floor and changes in the angle between the rectum and anal canal were assessed. The authors recommend defecography as a more physiological means of assessing rectal dysfunction.

Results of treatment for rectal prolapse and fecal incontinence.

Fifty-six patients were treated for rectal prolapse or incontinence. Rectal prolapse was present in 32 patients and was associated with fecal incontinence in 24 (75 per cent). Incontinence without prolapse was present in 24 patients, 12 of whom were less than 40 years old. Rectopexy was used for treatment of rectal prolapse. Surgical treatment of fecal incontinence was by postanal repair; external sphincter reconstruction and surgery was advised only if control of diarrhea and electrical therapy had been of no benefit. Rectopexy was completely successful at controlling rectal prolapse in all cases, and only four of the 20 (20 per cent) patients with incontinence and prolapse remained incontinent after rectopexy alone. Incontinence was completely controlled by postanal repair in 58 per cent of patients and by external sphincter repair alone or in combination with postanal repair in 67 per cent. Using a combination of therapies 45 of 48 patients who were initially incontinent were improved (94 per cent), and 42 of the patients have complete control of defecation (87 per cent).