Screening for precancerous anal lesions linked to human papillomaviruses: French recommendations for clinical practice.

In France, about 2000 new cases of anal cancer are diagnosed annually. Squamous cell carcinoma is the most common histological type, mostly occurring secondary to persistent HPV16 infection. Invasive cancer is preceded by precancerous lesions. In addition to patients with a personal history of precancerous lesions and anal cancer, three groups are at very high risk of anal cancer: (i) men who have sex with men and are living with HIV, (ii) women with a history of high-grade squamous intraepithelial lesions (HSILs) or vulvar HPV cancer, and (iii) women who received a solid organ transplant more than 10 years ago. The purpose of screening is to detect HSILs so that they can be treated, thereby reducing the risk of progression to cancer. All patients with symptoms should undergo a proctological examination including standard anoscopy. For asymptomatic patients at risk, an initial HPV16 test makes it possible to target patients at risk of HSILs likely to progress to cancer. Anal cytology is a sensitive test for HSIL detection. Its sensitivity is greater than 80% and exceeds that of proctological examination with standard anoscopy. It is indicated in the event of a positive HPV16 test. In the presence of cytological abnormalities and/or lesions and a suspicion of dysplasia on clinical examination, high-resolution anoscopy is indicated. Performance is superior to that of proctological examination with standard anoscopy. However, this technique is not widely available, which limits its use. If high-resolution anoscopy is not possible, screening by a standard proctological examination is an alternative. There is a need to develop high-resolution anoscopy and triage tests and to evaluate screening strategies.

Infective anoproctitis in men having sex with men: Don't forget Mycoplasma genitalium.

OBJECTIVES: The aim was to describe the clinical characteristics of symptomatic anoproctitis and the occurrence of Chlamydia trachomatis (CT), Neisseria gonorrhoeae (NG) and Mycoplasma genitalium (MG) infections in a prospective cohort of MSM patients. METHODS: From February 2018 to January 2020, all consecutive patients presenting at the Leopold Bellan Proctology Institute of Saint-Joseph Hospital, Paris, France with symptoms of anoproctitis were tested on rectal samples for C. trachomatis (CT), N. gonorrhoeae (NG), M. genitalium (MG). Clinical, microbiological, biological data, STI risk factors, medical history and treatments were collected. RESULTS: Three hundred and sixty-five patients were included for suspected infective anoproctitis. CT was detected in 84/365 (23%) patients, NG in 45/365 (12%) and MG in 46/315 patients (15%), associated with macrolide resistance in 28/46 MG strains (61%). The most frequent symptoms were rectal pains, rectal bleeding, purulent discharge in 253 (79%), 191 (60%), and 164 (51%) of cases respectively. In comparison with MG infections, ulcerations, erythematous proctitis, rectorragia and false needs were more frequently described in CT infections, while purulent proctitis, functional pain and purulent discharge were more often observed in NG and CT anoproctitis. CONCLUSION: We found a high prevalence rate of STIs due to CT, NG, while MG detection was associated with a high rate of macrolide resistance in a cohort of MSM patients. Our results confirm that in cases of symptomatic anoproctitis, MG should be tested in association with other STI pathogens.

Fissurectomy with mucosal advancement flap anoplasty: The end of a dogma?

INTRODUCTION: The goal was to compare fissurectomy with mucosal advancement flap anoplasty to fissurectomy alone in the surgical treatment of anal fissure. PATIENTS AND METHODS: This study included patients who underwent surgery in 2019 for solitary, idiopathic, non-infected, posterior anal fissure, after failure of medical treatment. The choice to perform advancement flap anoplasty was based on surgeon preference and did not depend on the fissure itself. The main endpoint was the time to relief of pain. RESULTS: Of 599 fissurectomies performed during the study period, 226 patients (37.6% women, mean age 41.7±12.0 years old) underwent fissurectomy alone (n=182) or associated with advancement flap anoplasty (n=44). The two groups differed as to their sex ratio (33.5 vs. 54.5% women, P=0.01), body mass index (25.3±4.0 vs. 23.6±3.9, P=0.013) and Bristol score (3.2 vs. 3.4, P=0.038). Time to relief of pain, time to disappearance of bleeding and time to healing were 1.1 (0.5-2.3), 1.0 (0.5-2.1) and 2.0 (1.1-3.6) months, respectively. The rate of healing was 93.8% and the complication rate was 6.2%. The differences between the two groups for these outcomes were not statistically significant. The risk factors associated with absence of healing were age ≥ 40 years (Odds ratio (OR): 3.84; 95% CI, 1.12-17.68) and pre-surgical duration of fissure<35.6 weeks (OR: 6.54; 95% CI: 1.69-43.21). CONCLUSION: Mucosal advancement flap anoplasty does not provide any added value to fissurectomy alone.

Deep remission improves the quality of life of patients with Crohn's disease and anoperineal fistula treated with darvadstrocel: results of a French pilot study.

BACKGROUND: The injection of allogeneic adipose tissue-derived mesenchymal stem cells (MSC) into anal fistulas in patients with Crohn's disease has never been evaluated in "real-life" conditions in France. METHODS: We prospectively studied the first patients receiving MSC injections at our center and undergoing 12 months of follow-up. The primary endpoint was the clinical and radiological response rate. The secondary endpoints were symptomatic efficacy, safety, anal continence, quality of life (Crohn's anal fistula-quality of life scale, CAF-QoL), and predictive factors of success. RESULTS: We included 27 consecutive patients. The complete clinical and radiological response rates at M12 were 51.9% and 50%, respectively. The combined complete clinical-radiological response (deep remission) rate was 34.6%. No major adverse effects or changes in anal continence were reported. The perianal disease activity index decreased from 6.4 to 1.6 (p < 0.001) for all patients. The CAF-QoL score also decreased from 54.0 to 25.5 (p < 0.001). At the end of the study, M12, the CAF-QoL score was significantly lower only in patients with a complete combined clinical-radiological response relative to those without a complete clinical-radiological response (15.0 versus 32.8, p = 0.01). Having a multibranching fistula and infliximab treatment were associated with a combined complete clinical-radiological response. CONCLUSIONS: This study confirms reported efficacy data for the injection of MSC for complex anal fistulas in Crohn's disease. It also shows a positive impact on the quality of life of patients, particularly those for whom a combined clinical-radiological response was achieved.

Artificial intelligence and high-resolution anoscopy: automatic identification of anal squamous cell carcinoma precursors using a convolutional neural network.

BACKGROUND: High-resolution anoscopy (HRA) is the gold standard for detecting anal squamous cell cancer (ASCC) precursors. Although it is superior to other diagnostic methods, particularly cytology, the visual identification of areas suspected of having high-grade squamous intraepithelial lesions remains difficult. Convolutional neural networks (CNNs) have shown great potential for assessing endoscopic images. The aim of the present study was to develop a CNN-based system for automatic detection and differentiation of HSIL versus LSIL in HRA images. METHODS: A CNN was developed based on 78 HRA exams from a total of 71 patients who underwent HRA at a single high-volume center (GH Paris Saint-Joseph, Paris, France) between January 2021 and January 2022. A total of 5026 images were included, 1517 images containing HSIL and 3509 LSIL. A training dataset comprising 90% of the total pool of images was defined for the development of the network. The performance of the CNN was evaluated using an independent testing dataset comprising the remaining 10%. The sensitivity, specificity, accuracy, positive and negative predictive values, and area under the curve (AUC) were calculated. RESULTS: The algorithm was optimized for the automatic detection of HSIL and its differentiation from LSIL. Our model had an overall accuracy of 90.3%. The CNN had sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative predictive values of 91.4%, 89.7%, 80.9%, and 95.6%, respectively. The area under the curve was 0.97. CONCLUSIONS: The CNN architecture for application to HRA accurately detected precursors of squamous anal cancer. Further development and implementation of these tools in clinical practice may significantly modify the management of these patients.

Management of perianal fistulas in Crohn's disease: a 2021 update of the French National Society of Coloproctology consensus.

BACKGROUND: Since our last publication of algorithms for the management of perianal fistulas in patients with Crohn's disease, researchers have proposed a treat to target strategy systematic combotherapy for anal lesions, and indications for stem cell injection. In the absence robust publications, the Société Nationale Française de Coloproctologie (French National Society of Coloproctology [SNFCP]) wished to establish a group consensus using the Delphi method. METHODS: From October 2020 to January 2021, a scientific committee and panel of gastroenterologists and surgeons established answers which were submitted to the members of the SNFCP during a national conference in November 2020. Three questions were clarified and reformulated, and then submitted during a third and final round of consultation of members of the SNFCP. RESULTS: The target was defined as being the response obtained in every domain (symptoms, physical and radiological evaluation) which could be considered satisfactory, without the need to intensify therapeutic management. By consensus, the time required for clinical evaluation of the efficacy of treatment was 6 months. A response on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) should include the absence of a collection of 10 mm or more in size at 6 months, and a frank decrease or complete disappearance of hyperintensity in T1 and T2 sequences of the main tract at 12 months. Systematic association of an immunosuppressant with tumor necrosis factor inhibitors did not reach the consensus level for adalimumab (50%), but just did for infliximab (70%). The majority of the respondents considered failure of one, or even two lines of different biotherapies to be potential indications for injection of stem cells. CONCLUSIONS: These findings reinforce the importance of composite targets including MRI evaluation, and underscore the need for precise timing of evaluation. Combotherapy is only recommended with infliximab. Injection of stem cells is a second- or third-line option.

Epidemiology of symptomatic infective anoproctitis in a population of men having sex with men (MSM).

PURPOSE: Anoproctitis due to Chlamydia trachomatis (CT) and Neisseria gonorrhoeae (NG) are Sexual Transmitted Infections (STIs) reported in MSM population. This study describes clinical and microbiological epidemiology of infective anoproctitis in MSM population. METHODS: All patients with symptomatic anoproctitis consulting at the proctology Institute of Saint-Joseph's Hospital, Paris, were included. Detection of CT/NG was performed by PCR GeneXpertR and other STIs pathogens Mycoplasma sp., HSV, CMV and T. pallidum were detected by multiplex PCR Allplex (mPCR). RESULTS: Symptoms most frequently reported were pain, rectal bleeding and purulent flow in 66%, 52% and 49% of cases, respectively. On the 311 rectal samples collected, 171 (55.2%) were positive to CT/NG. Among the 194 used for mPCR, 148 were positive to STIs pathogens (76.2%) including 106 samples (71.6%) positive in coinfections. Among NG infections, 22.6% of the strains were resistant to azithromycin and 26.8% to tetracyclines. CONCLUSIONS: Anorectal infections in this MSM population showed a high prevalence of not only CT/NG but also other pathogens involved in STIs. The high level of coinfections confirms the requirement of accurate PCR tests to improve diagnosis. This study describing increasing antibiotic resistances for NG strains confirms the updating of international guidelines on antibiotic treatments recommendations.

Extensive suppuration and being overweight are factors associated with the failure of laser treatment for pilonidal disease: lessons from the first French retrospective cohort.

BACKGROUND: The aim of our study was to assess the efficacy of sinus laser therapy (SiLaT) for the treatment of pilonidal disease. METHODS: All adult patients treated with SiLaT in our department between June 1, 2018, and August 23, 2019, were included in the study. Success was defined as the closure of cutaneous orifices and the absence of discharge or abscesses. RESULTS: We included 29 consecutive patients (22 males) with a median age of 32.5 ± 10.5 years. Eight patients had already undergone prior surgery for pilonidal disease. The procedure was performed under spinal (55%) or general (45%) anesthesia. The mean follow-up was 370.3 days (± 165.8 days). We observed 2 primary failures (6.9%) and 7 recurrences (24.1%). Ultimately, 20 patients were considered to have been cured (69%). The mean time to healing was 25 days (± 8.1 days). No serious complications were reported. Usual activities were resumed within a mean of 4.9 days (± 7.2), and 86% of patients reported being "very satisfied" with the treatment. The body mass index was lower for patients who were cured (24.0 ± 3.6) than for those who experienced treatment failure (27.6 ± 3.4; p = 0.018). The cured patients were less likely to have one or more secondary openings (35.0 versus 88.9%, p = 0.014). CONCLUSIONS: Almost 70% of our patients were cured by SiLaT. Complications were rare and mild. The technique appeared to be less effective for overweight patients and those with one or more secondary openings associated with pilonidal pits.

Hemorrhoidal surgery in patients with IBD: caution is the parent of safety.

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to evaluate the outcome of hemorrhoidal surgery in patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) undergoing surgery at our center. METHODS: All adult patients with IBD undergoing hemorrhoidal surgery in our department between November 1, 2013 and July 7, 2020 were included in the study. At the time of surgery, the patients' IBD was in clinical, biological and endoscopic remission, and none of the patients had specific primary anoperineal lesions. RESULTS: We included 25 patients (48% female) with a mean age 48 years (± 13.1 years). There were 13 cases of CD (52%) and 12 of ulcerative colitis (UC). Pharmacological and instrumental hemorrhoidal treatment had failed in all patients. The CD lesions were exclusively ileal (77%) or ileocolic (23%). The surgical procedures performed for CD were mono-hemorrhoidectomy in three patients (21.4%), tripedicular hemorrhoidectomy in six patients (42.9%), and artery ligations with mucopexy in five patients (35.7%). UC was rectal (16.7%), rectosigmoid (66.7%), or pancolic (16.6%). The surgical procedures performed for UC were a tripedicular hemorrhoidectomy in ten patients (83.3%) and artery ligations with mucopexy in two patients (16.7%). The mean duration of postoperative follow-up was 15.1 months. None of the patients was lost to follow-up. The mean time to wound healing after resection was 71.1 days (± 21 days) for patients with CD and 56.9 days (± 6.7 days) for patients with UC (p = 0.05). Postoperative complications were reported for four patients with CD (28.8%) and two patients with UC (16.7%). There was no suppuration, stenosis, or anal incontinence sequelae. CONCLUSIONS: Hemorrhoidal surgery resulted in a non-negligible frequency of complications in our series of IBD patients, especially in those with CD. Caution is, therefore, still necessary in this patient population.

Secondary bleeding following proctological surgery: Rare but potentially severe.

PURPOSE: Haemorrhage following proctological surgery is one of the complications with the greatest potential for severity. The aim of this work was to assess the frequency and risk factors of haemorrhage requiring hospitalization during 30-days postoperatively. METHODS: A retrospective cohort review of all surgeries performed in a Parisian department of medico-surgical proctology between January 2016 and June 2018 was performed. Demographic and surgical data were collected for patients who were hospitalized for postoperative haemorrhage. Their analysis was conducted as a single analysis followed by multivariate analysis. RESULTS: A total of 7533 surgeries were performed on 6727 patients. The mean patient age was 42.6 (±14.3) years and 67.2% were males. Postoperative haemorrhage occurred in 111 patients (1.5%) with a total of 123 haemorrhagic episodes (12 relapses) within a mean of 6 (±5.5) days. In therapeutic terms, 28.5% of haemorrhages required transfusion, 37.4% required haemostasis in the operating theatre and 14.6% required haemostasis under local anaesthesia. Using multivariate analysis, haemorrhage was more frequent after haemorrhoid surgery and in the case of anticoagulant treatment, particularly direct oral anticoagulants, and if the ASA score was equal to 3. Active smoking was associated with a decreased risk of haemorrhage. CONCLUSION: Haemorrhage requiring hospitalization occurred in 1.5% of cases following proctological surgery, 52.8% were severe and recurred in 10.8% of cases. The study also specified certain risk factors for haemorrhage and demonstrated the protective effect of active smoking.

Mid-Term Results of Superior Rectal Artery and Coils for Hemorrhoidal Embolization with Particles Bleeding.

OBJECTIVES: To compare safety and clinical outcomes of embolization of the superior rectal arteries in patients with hemorrhoidal bleeding using particles and coils versus coils only. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed data for patients undergoing embolization for chronic hemorrhoidal bleeding from January 2014 to April 2017. Embolization was performed with coils alone or with particles and coils. Clinical scores (Paris bleeding severity score, Goligher classification and quality of life score) were obtained, and embolization was performed with microparticles (300-500 µm) followed by fibered pushable coils. Clinical success was defined as an improvement of > 2 points in the Paris bleeding severity score, without complications. Outcomes were compared between the two groups in a matched-pairs analysis (1:1 scenario), with patients embolized with particles and coils as the study group and patients embolized with coils alone as the control. RESULTS: We treated 45 consecutive patients. After matched-pairs analysis, the final study population was 38 patients (19 study group and 19 controls). Clinical success did not differ significantly between the two populations: 63% for control group and 68% for the study group (p = 0.790). The median change in clinical score was - 3 [- 6; - 1] for the control group and - 3 [- 4; - 1] for the study group (p = 0.187). Grade 1 complications were reported in 15% of patients, with no major complications. CONCLUSIONS: Embolization was feasible, with a technical success of 100% and no major complications. Clinical success was obtained in 66% in patients with no difference when using combined embolization with particles and coils versus coils only.

Laser ablation of fistula tract (LAFT) and complex fistula-in-ano: "the ideal indication" is becoming clearer .

BACKGROUND: An initial study enabled us to achieve 60% healing of high transsphincteric fistula-in-ano with laser ablation of fistula tract (LAFT) The purpose of this new study was to investigate other predictors of the success of this technique in the treatment of complex anoperineal fistulas. METHODS: All patients treated with LAFT in our department between May 2017 and October 2018 were included prospectively. LAFT was used for patients with complex anoperineal fistulas who were at high risk of anal incontinence after fistulotomy. The fistula was considered healed when the internal and external openings were closed and the patient experienced no pain or leakage. RESULTS: A total of 100 consecutive patients (65 males) with a median age of 43 years (range 22-88 years) were included in the study. Eight patients were lost to follow-up. The fistulas were low (8%) or high (79%) transsphincteric, and suprasphincteric (13%). After a median follow-up of 13.6 months (range 6-23 months), fistula healing was observed in 41 patients (44.6%). On univariate analysis, an anterior location, a narrow internal orifice and administration of less than 400 J of energy were significantly associated with healing. On multivariate analysis, a narrow internal orifice and low energy administration remained significant predictive factors of success [OR 5.08 (1.03-25.03), p = 0.046; OR 2.59 (1.08-6.17), p = 0.032]. No new cases of anal incontinence or any worsening of pre-existing anal incontinence was observed during follow up. CONCLUSIONS: This study indicates that complex anoperineal fistulas with a narrow internal orifice can be successfully treated with less than 400 J and are ideal for LAFT.

FiLaC® and Crohn's disease perianal fistulas: a pilot study of 20 consecutive patients.

BACKGROUND: The aim of our study was to evaluate the efficacy of FiLaC®  (Fistula Laser Closure) in the treatment of perianal fistulas in patients with Crohn's disease. METHODS: All adult patients treated in our department between March 3rd 2016 and November 16th 2018 were included in the study. The fistula was considered healed when the internal and external openings were closed and the patient experienced no pain or leakage (spontaneously or under pressure). RESULTS: We included 20 consecutive patients (10 women) with a mean age of 32 years ± 9.61. The main fistula tracks were intersphincteric (n = 1, 5%), low (n = 3, 15%) or high (n = 14, 70%) transsphincteric, suprasphincteric (n = 1, 5%), or extrasphincteric (n = 1, 5%). Secondary extension (intramural, supralevator, or horseshoe) was found in 6 cases (30%). The average number of previous surgeries was 2.45 ± 1.47. Crohn's disease extension was ileal in 2 patients (10%), ileocolonic in 8 patients (40%), and colonic in 10 patients (50%). Two patients were lost to follow up and were considered as failures. After a median follow-up period of 7.1 months (range 2-22.5 months), fistula healing was observed in 11 patients (55%). On univariate analysis, only the disease-modifying therapy for Crohn's disease was a predictive factor of a response to FiLaC® (p = 0.05). The specific analysis of this subgroup showed that FiLaC® was less effective when patients were treated with anti-tumor necrosis factor (TNF) alone with an OR of 13.06 [1.28; 236.66] (p = 0.02). For combination therapy, the results seemed better (5 of 6 healed versus 2 of 9 healed with anti-TNF alone), but the difference was not significant. CONCLUSIONS: This pilot study suggests that FiLaC® may play an important role in the management of perianal fistulas in patients with Crohn's disease.

The optimal indication for FiLaC® is high trans-sphincteric fistula-in-ano: a prospective cohort of 69 consecutive patients.

BACKGROUND: The aim of our study was to prospectively evaluate the effectiveness of the Fistula Laser Closure (FiLaC®) technique in patients at high risk of anal incontinence and to determine the predictors of success and the impact of the procedure on anal continence. METHODS: A prospective study was conducted on all patients treated with FiLaC® in our department in May 2016-April 2017, because they were at high risk of anal incontinence after fistulotomy, The fistula was considered healed when the internal and external openings were closed and the patient experienced was no pain or leakage. RESULTS: A total of 69 consecutive patients (34 males) with a median age of 40 years (33-53 years) were included in the study. One patient was lost to follow up. The fistulas were intersphincteric (3%), low (15%) or high (66%) trans-sphincteric, and suprasphincteric (16%). After a median follow-up period of 6.3 months (4.2-9.3), fistula healing was observed in 31 patients (45.6%). In univariate analysis, high trans-sphincteric fistulas (p = 0.007) and age over 50 years (p = 0.034) were significantly associated with healing. In multivariate analysis, only high trans-sphincteric fistulas were a predictive factor of significant success. No new cases of anal incontinence or any worsening in case of pre-existing anal incontinence were observed during follow-up. CONCLUSIONS: FiLaC® is particularly effective in cases of high trans-sphincteric fistulas (60% cure). This technique seems to be the most promising sphincter-saving technique available for this indication.

[Anal and vulvar hidradenoma papilliferum are similar: A study of 14 cases]. / Les hidradénomes papillifères de l'anus ressemblent à ceux de la vulve : étude de 14 cas.

INTRODUCTION: Hidradenoma papilliferum (HP) is an adenomatous proliferation of mammary-like glands. These glands are located preferentially on the vaginal labia, the perineum and the anal skin. About ninety percent of HP occur on the vulva, with anal localization being much less common. AIM OF THE STUDY: To analyze the clinical and histological characteristics of anal HP and compare them to those seen on the vulva based on the literature. METHOD: A monocentric retrospective analysis (in the medical and surgical proctology department of the Saint-Joseph Hospital Group, Paris) of patients for whom a diagnosis of anal HP was made based on pathological analysis of a resected sample. RESULTS: A total of 14 female patients were included between 2012 and 2018. The mean age was 48.2 years (22-70). The tumor, single in all cases, was asymptomatic with very slow progression. It was located on the anal skin in all patients. It generally consisted of a round nodule measuring under 1cm that was barely prominent, translucent, depressible and mobile. In 15% of patients the tumor was ulcerated. Histologically, the tumor displayed the usual characteristics of HP. Only one relapse was seen, six years after resection. CONCLUSION: The clinical and histological aspects of anal HP are the same as those of the vulva, which are better documented, namely a small, rounded, pink, translucent or bluish, and mobile tumor, with a smooth surface, and more rarely ulceration or budding, and in most cases asymptomatic. All HP were diagnosed in women and were located at the anal margin. Histopathological examination of an excised sample confirms the diagnosis and rules out a malignant tumor. The frequency of anal HP may be underestimated.

Online training on how to diagnose anoperineal lesions of Crohn's disease: Do pictures matter? A nationwide randomized study.

Any gastroenterologist must be trained to properly diagnose anoperineal lesions in patients with Crohn's disease (APLOC). The aim of this study was to establish whether adding pictures would improve teaching effectiveness of the diagnosis of APLOC to French gastroenterology trainees. METHOD: Trainees were asked to answer a first web-based survey consisting of evaluating 12 pictures of APLOC with a closed answer questionnaire. They were then randomized in 2 groups. Group A received an online teaching with typical pictures and APLOC definitions and group B definitions only. Trainees were asked again seven days later to answer a second survey with 12 other pictures of APLOC and 14 experts also answered this survey. Diagnostic scores were expressed in %. The primary endpoint was the comparison of the score of survey 2 between the two groups of trainees. Secondary endpoints were to compare results of survey 2 between trainees of both groups and experts, and assess diagnosis of each lesion. RESULTS: Two hundred fourty eight trainees among 465 answered survey 1, and 195 survey 2. The diagnostic score was 71.9% for groups A and B and 74.6% for experts (differences NS). After training diagnosis of ulceration was 72% for group A and 72.9% for group B, fistulae 85.2% versus 85.8%, erythema 44.1% vs. 55.6%, anoperineal scars 67.5% vs. 65.6%, and abscess 100% (differences NS). CONCLUSION: There was no difference between the two teaching methods. Further research should be performed aiming at improving teaching material and quotation baremes.