Endoscopic pilonidal sinus treatment (EPSiT) in recurrent pilonidal disease: a prospective international multicenter study.

BACKGROUND: Pilonidal disease (PD) is a common disease of the natal cleft, which can lead to complications including infection and abscess formation. Various operative management options are available, but the ideal technique is still debatable. Recurrent PD after surgical treatment is frequent event for the 25-30% of cases. The present study evaluated endoscopic pilonidal sinus treatment (EPSiT) in recurrent and multi-recurrent PD. METHODS: Of the consecutive prospective patients with recurrent PD, 122 were enrolled in a prospective international multicenter study conducted at a secondary and tertiary colorectal surgery centers. Primary endpoint was to evaluate short- and long-term outcomes: healing rate/time, morbidity rate, re-recurrence rate, and patient's quality of life (QoL). RESULTS: Complete wound healing rate was occurred in 95% of the patient, with a mean complete wound healing time of 29 ± 12 days. The incomplete healing rate (5%) was significantly related to the number of external openings (p = 0.008), and recurrence was reported in six cases (5.1%). Normal daily activity was established on the first postoperative day, and the mean duration before patients returned to work was 3 days. QoL significantly increased between the preoperative stage and 30 days after the EPSiT procedure (45.3 vs. 7.9; p < 0.0001). CONCLUSIONS: The EPSiT procedure seems to be a safe and effective technique in treating even complex recurrent PD. It enables excellent short- and long-term outcomes than various other techniques that are more invasive.

Video-assisted anal fistula treatment: a new concept of treating anal fistulas.

BACKGROUND: The surgical treatment of complex anal fistulas is very challenging because of the incidence of incontinence and recurrence after traditional approaches. Video-assisted anal fistula treatment is a novel endoscopic sphincter-saving technique. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this article is to evaluate the results of treating complex anal fistulas from the inside and to focus on the rationale and the advantages of this innovative approach. DESIGN: This is a retrospective observational study. SETTINGS: The study was conducted at a tertiary care public hospital in Italy. PATIENTS: From February 2006 to February 2012, video-assisted anal fistula treatment was performed on 203 patients (124 men and 79 women; median age, 42 years; range, 21-77 years) who had complex anal fistulas. One hundred forty-nine had undergone previous anal fistula surgery. INTERVENTIONS: Video-assisted anal fistula treatment has 2 phases: diagnostic and operative. The fistuloscope is introduced through the external opening to identify the main tract, possible secondary tracts or abscess cavities, and the internal opening. With the use of an electrode, the fistula and its branches are destroyed under direct vision and cleaned. The internal opening is closed by a stapler or a flap. Half a milliliter of synthetic cyanoacrylate is used for suture reinforcement. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Successful healing of the fistula was assessed with clinical evaluation. Continence was evaluated by using patient self-reports of the presence/absence of postdefecation soiling. RESULTS: Follow-up was at 2, 4, 6, 12, and 24 months. The 6-month cumulative probability of freedom from fistula estimated according to a Kaplan-Meier analysis is 70% (95%CI, 64%-76%). No major complications occurred. No patients reported a reduction in their postoperative continence score. LIMITATIONS: The limitations of this study included potential single-institution bias, lack of anorectal manometry, and potential selection bias. CONCLUSIONS: Video-assisted anal fistula treatment is effective and safe for the treatment of fistula-in-ano.

Ghost ileostomy in anterior resection for rectal carcinoma: is it worthwhile?

BACKGROUND: There is no consensus in the literature as to whether all patients who undergo anterior resection of the rectum with total mesorectal excision should have a defunctioning stoma or only those at high risk of anastomotic dehiscence. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this retrospective study was to evaluate the results of placing a removable Silastic band around the ileum during the abdominal phase to exteriorize it and create a loop ileostomy postoperatively without the need for laparotomy in case of an anastomotic complication. This approach is known as "ghost ileostomy." INTERVENTIONS: A vascular loop was passed around the terminal ileum through a window adjacent to the ileal wall. The loop was then exteriorized, through the abdominal wall, without tension, and secured to the skin on a rod. Two 24F Silastic drains were placed next to the anastomosis (anteriorly and posteriorly). PATIENTS: From May 1997 to May 2011, 168 patients underwent anterior resection of the rectum with total mesorectal excision plus ghost ileostomy. RESULTS: Symptomatic anastomotic dehiscence was observed in 20 of 168 patients (11.96%) and developed on postoperative days 4 to 12 (median, postoperative day 7). In 13 of 20 cases, an ileostomy was fashioned with the patient under local anesthesia, and there was no need for relaparotomy. In 5 of 20 cases, the complication resolved with conservative management. In 2 of 20 cases, the patient's clinical condition rapidly deteriorated, generalized peritonitis developed, and surgical reintervention with abdominal toilette and colostomy was required. CONCLUSIONS: Ghost ileostomy allows selective loop ileostomy formation after low anterior resection of the rectum without the need for laparotomy in most cases. However, the technique should be reserved for instances in which the risk of leak is relatively low, such as anastomoses performed in the absence of neoadjuvant therapy. The role of routine ghost ileostomy following higher-risk anastomoses remains to be determined.