Efficacy and complications of polyethylene glycols for treatment of constipation in children: a meta-analysis.

Constipation is a common childhood complaint. In 90% to 95% of children, constipation is functional, which means that there is no objective evidence of an underlying pathological condition. Polyethylene glycol (PEG or macrogol) solution is an osmotic laxative agent that is absorbed in only trace amounts from the gastrointestinal tract and routinely used to treat chronic constipation in adults. Here, we report the results of a meta-analysis of PEG-based laxatives compared with lactulose, milk of magnesia (magnesium hydroxide), oral liquid paraffin (mineral oil), or acacia fiber, psyllium fiber, and fructose in children. This meta-analysis was conducted in accordance with PRISMA guidelines and involved searches of MEDLINE, Cochrane, EMBASE, and Google Scholar databases up to February 10, 2014, using the keywords (Constipation OR Functional Constipation OR Fecal Impaction) AND (Children) AND (Polyethylene Glycol OR Laxative). Primary efficacy outcomes included a number of stool passages/wk and percentage of patients who reported satisfactory stool consistency. Secondary safety outcomes included diarrhea, abdominal pain, nausea or vomiting, pain or straining at defecation, bloating or flatulence, hard stool consistency, poor palatability, and rectal bleeding. We identified 231 articles, 27 of which were suitable for full-text review and 10 of which were used in the meta-analysis. Patients who were treated with PEG experienced more successful disimpaction compared with those treated with non-PEG laxatives. Treatment-related adverse events were acceptable and generally well tolerated. PEG-based laxatives are effective and safe for chronic constipation and for resolving fecal impaction in children. Children's acceptance of PEG-based laxatives appears to be better than non-PEG laxatives. Optimal dosages, routes of administration, and PEG regimens should be determined in future randomized controlled studies and meta-analyses.

Use of absorbable hemostatic gauze with medical adhesive is effective for achieving hemostasis in presacral hemorrhage.

BACKGROUND: Management of presacral hemorrhage is always challenging. Herein we describe the use of an absorbable hemostatic gauze with α-cyanoacrylate medical adhesive to achieve hemostasis. METHODS: In this study, we conducted total mesorectal excision for the treatment of rectal cancer in 258 patients from March 2006 to May 2009. Intraoperative presacral hemorrhage developed in 5 (2%) patients during rectal mobilization. RESULTS: In these 5 patients, massive bleeding could not be controlled by pressure and pelvic packing with gauze. An absorbable hemostatic gauze spread with medical adhesive was compressed onto the bleeding vessel for at least 20 minutes. Hemostasis was achieved successfully and was maintained during the surgery. Patients recovered uneventfully and no postoperative events were noted. CONCLUSIONS: The use of an absorbable hemostatic gauze with medical adhesive is a simple and effective method for achieving hemostasis when massive presacral hemorrhage occurs. However, its effectiveness needs to be confirmed in a controlled study in a properly selected patient population.

Prospective study of reconstructing pelvic floor with GORE-TEX Dual Mesh in abdominoperineal resection.

BACKGROUND: Mesh reconstruction has been proved to be an effective method in incisional hernia repairment. This study was designed to evaluate the effect of reconstructing the pelvic floor with the high-inlay expanded polytetrafluoroethylene (ePTFE) GORE-TEX Dual Mesh (WLGore And Associates, Flagstuff, USA) in abdominoperineal resection. METHODS: Sixty patients who underwent abdominoperineal resection for rectal cancer were assigned to 2 groups. The pelvic peritoneum was closed by routine sutures in group 1 and reconstructed with ePTFE in group 2. Postoperative complications and related items were evaluated and the patients were followed up. RESULTS: Time of confining to bed, bowel function recovery, fasting, and detaining drainage were significantly different between two groups (P < 0.05). In group 1, three patients developed bowel obstruction (10%), while no bowel obstruction was observed in group 2. CONCLUSION: Reconstruction of the pelvic floor using ePTFE results in quicker postoperative recovery and could decrease the risk of postoperative intestinal obstruction.