Efficacy of Sacral Nerve Stimulation in Non-constipated Irritable Bowel Syndrome Patients: A Systematic Review.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a prevalent disorder with a complex and heterogeneous physiopathology, including a dysregulation of gut-brain axis. Treatment for IBS is targeted to the predominant symptom and requires a multidisciplinary approach. This review aims to evaluate the efficacy and safety of sacral nerve stimulation in non-constipated IBS patients Methods: A literature search was carried out on MEDLINE, The Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL) and Web of Science databases for all relevant articles. Quality of included papers was assessed using standardized guidelines Results: Of 129 initial citations, 7 articles met our predefined inclusion criteria, including five randomized trials, a pilot study and a descriptive follow-up study. Five of 7 studies reported a positive effect of sacral nerve stimulation on symptoms and quality of life improvement in non-constipated IBS patients. No study reported serious adverse events. CONCLUSIONS: Despite initial promising results of sacral nerve stimulation in non-constipated IBS patients, studies with larger sample sizes and longer follow-up are required.

Feasibility and safety of calcium alginate hydrogel sealant for the treatment of cryptoglandular fistula-in-ano: phase I/IIa clinical trial.

AIM: Complex perianal fistulas pose a challenge to the surgeon since the fistulous tract must be eliminated without impairing continence. Although without strong scientific evidence, some bibliography has demonstrated the efficacy of some sealants in the treatment of anal fistulas. We aimed to assess the feasibility and safety of calcium alginate hydrogel injections into the fistulous tract as treatment for trans-sphincteric cryptoglandular fistulas. METHODS: A prospective, single-centre, case series of this novel technique was conducted in a level 3 Spanish hospital, including patients diagnosed with trans-sphincteric perianal fistulas and treated with a calcium alginate hydrogel sealant. A strict follow-up was performed by an independent surgeon at 1, 3, 6 and 12 months. The main outcome measures were feasibility, safety (number of adverse events) and efficacy of the treatment. RESULTS: Twenty patients were treated. The treatment was performed for all patients. Seven adverse events related to the injection product or the surgical procedure were identified. After a 12-month follow-up, 12 patients were completely cured and eight were not cured, with a greater response in the first 6 months. These findings were confirmed by endoanal ultrasound, with a Cohen's kappa concordance rate of 0.89. No statistically significant differences were observed in pain measured using the visual analogue scale, faecal incontinence measured using the Wexner scoring system, and quality of life analysed by the SF-36 Health Survey. CONCLUSION: The treatment was feasible, safe and with discrete satisfactory healing results. It also demonstrated an acceptable safety profile, without worsening of faecal incontinence, quality of life and pain following treatment.

Influence of robotics in surgical complication rate in elderly population with rectal cancer.

BACKGROUND: Rectal cancer surgery is a technically complex procedure. Moreover, short-term outcomes show high rate of complications especially in elderly and laparoscopic surgery has not demonstrated to be able to reduce this complication rate. Robotics has several advantages in pelvic surgical procedures, which could have an impact in complication rates in elderly patients. AIMS: The aim of our study is to demonstrate whether robotic surgery has any influence on the reduction of complications in the aged population undergoing rectal cancer. METHODS: We performed a retrospective analysis of a prospective database of 151 patients who underwent robotic surgery for rectal cancer. We divided our population into three groups: under 65-year-old, between 65- and 80-year-old and above 80-year-old. We recorded complications in each group intra and post procedure. RESULTS: The present study included 151 patients (94 males). Of them, 77 patients were under 66 year old, 63 patients were between 66 and 79 year old and 11 patients were 80 year old and above. The analysis showed conversion rates of 10.38%, 13.69%, 27.27%, and the complication rate of 23.4%, 23.8%, and 27.3% in each group. Univariate analysis showed no differences between the three groups. Nevertheless, there were statistical differences from BMI, ASA and neoadjuvant therapy. In multivariant analysis only neoadjuvant therapy was significant. CONCLUSIONS: Robotic approach does not decrease complications in elderly population and conversion is similar in these age groups. So we should not rule out robotic surgery in elderly patients, although we must select each case with a multidisciplinary approach.

Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) versus fibrin glue in cryptogenic fistula-in-ano: a phase III single-center, randomized, double-blind trial.

PURPOSE: To compare the clinical outcome of autologous platelet-rich growth factor (PRP) with commercial fibrin glue in the management of high cryptogenic fistulae-in-ano. METHOD: The study was conducted at a single center between July 2012 and July 2015 and performed as a phase III, randomized, double-blind comparison of autologously prepared PRP versus fibrin glue for cryptoglandular anal fistulae without active sepsis. Patients were assessed with clinical and endosonographic follow-up. Patients were followed up at 1 week and then at 3, 6, and 12 postoperative months. The primary outcome measure was the fistula healing rate (complete, partial, and non-healing) with secondary outcome measures assessing fistula recurrence, continence status, quality of life, and visual analog pain scores. RESULTS: Of the 56 enrolled patients, 32 were PRP-treated and 24 were fibrin-treated. The groups were well matched for fistula type with an improved overall healing rate for PRP-treated over fibrin-treated cases (71% vs. 58.3%, respectively; P = 0.608); a complete healing rate of 48.4% vs. 41.7%, respectively; and a partial healing rate of 22.6% vs. 16.7%, respectively. The median pain scores of PRP-treated patients were lower at the first visit with a greater initial pain decrease early during follow-up. Improvements in pain reduction impacted the quality of life measures (P = 0.035). All adverse events were minor and no patient experienced a negative impact on continence. CONCLUSION: Treatment of complex cryptoglandular anal fistula with autologous PRP is as effective as fibrin glue with less cost and no adverse effect on continence.

Fecal incontinence in older patients. A narrative review. / Incontinencia fecal en el paciente anciano. Revisión de conjunto.

Fecal incontinence is one of the leading causes for the institutionalization of people in the last decades of life, associated with a great psychosocial and economic burden. The literature is scarce in this population group, due to the absence of universally accepted criteria to define "elderly patients" and difficulties in detection and diagnostic. The aim of this article was to conduct a narrative review of the main aspects related to fecal incontinence in older patients, providing management support. Toileting assistance, dietary change, controlling stool consistency and medical treatment can be used to treat these patients. Nevertheless, other therapies, such as biofeedback, neuromodulation or surgical treatment, can be considered in selected patients.

Factibility and security study of the PICS-AF™ plug for the treatment of cryptoglandular anal fistula. / Estudio de factibilidad y seguridad del plug de colágeno (PICS-AF™) en el tratamiento de la fístula anal criptoglandular.

INTRODUCTION: The PICS-AF™ (Curaseal Inc.) device is a new plug made of collagen that has a retention system in the internal orifice. This pilot study was designed to assess both the feasibility and safety of this plug in the treatment of trans-sphincteric anal fístulas. METHODS: A total of 44 patients (34 men), with a mean age of 54.68±7.3, with trans-sphincteric anal fístulas were included in the study; 34 of them were analyzed. All patients were examined according to a strict preoperative protocol and until 6 months after surgery. The feasibility of the procedure and the adverse events were analyzed. RESULTS: Finally, 34 patients were operated on, and in 30 of them the plug was used. Therefore, the feasibility was calculated at 88%. There was a total of 16 adverse events, 4recorded as not related (3 mild and one moderate) and 12 related to the procedure or to the device implanted. Of these, 5were mild, 5moderate and 2severe. The majority of the events reported were related to proctalgia (4 patients) or infection at the implant site (4 patients). CONCLUSIONS: The present study indicates that the new collagen plug can be placed effectively and with an acceptable complication rate.

Learning curve in robotic rectal cancer surgery: current state of affairs.

INTRODUCTION: Robotic-assisted rectal cancer surgery offers multiple advantages for surgeons, and it seems to yield the same clinical outcomes as regards the short-time follow-up of patients compared to conventional laparoscopy. This surgical approach emerges as a technique aiming at overcoming the limitations posed by rectal cancer and other surgical fields of difficult access, in order to obtain better outcomes and a shorter learning curve. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A systematic review of the literature of robot-assisted rectal surgery was carried out according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) statement. The search was conducted in October 2015 in PubMed, MEDLINE and the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, for articles published in the last 10 years and pertaining the learning curve of robotic surgery for colorectal cancer. It consisted of the following key words: "rectal cancer/learning curve/robotic-assisted laparoscopic surgery". RESULTS: A total of 34 references were identified, but only 9 full texts specifically addressed the analysis of the learning curve in robot-assisted rectal cancer surgery, 7 were case series and 2 were non-randomised case-comparison series. Eight papers used the cumulative sum (CUSUM) method, and only one author divided the series into two groups to compare both. The mean number of cases for phase I of the learning curve was calculated to be 29.7 patients; phase II corresponds to a mean number 37.4 patients. The mean number of cases required for the surgeon to be classed as an expert in robotic surgery was calculated to be 39 patients. CONCLUSION: Robotic advantages could have an impact on learning curve for rectal cancer and lower the number of cases that are necessary for rectal resections.