Clinical and subclinical atherosclerosis in patients with systemic sclerosis: an observational, multicentre study of GIRRCS (Gruppo Italiano di Ricerca in Reumatologia Clinica e Sperimentale).

OBJECTIVES: Conflicting results about clinical and subclinical atherosclerosis in systemic sclerosis (SSc) and the associated risk factors have been reported. Hence, we aimed to determine the prevalence of clinical and subclinical atherosclerosis in a large number of Italian SSc patients and the associated risk factors. METHODS: This study included 613 SSc patients from 11 Italian tertiary Rheumatologic Units. All patients underwent full history taking, clinical examination, and relevant laboratory and radiological investigations. Doppler ultrasonography (US) of the common carotid and upper and lower limbs was performed to measure carotid and femoral intima-media thickness (cIMT and fIMT), and carotid and peripheral atheroma plaques. Doppler US of the brachial artery was performed to measure flow-mediated dilatation (FMD). RESULTS: Patients were mostly women (91.4%) with a median age of 61 years (range, 20-100); a median disease duration of 14 years (range, 0-77) from the onset of the first non-Raynaud's phenomenon (RP); 9.3% had a history of clinical atherosclerosis (9 stable/unstable angina, 21 myocardial infarctions, 24 heart failure, 3 strokes, 8 transient ischaemic attack, 6 intermittent claudication, 10 atrial thrombo-embolism). In 37.1% of patients, subclinical atherosclerosis was detected, after excluding those with a history of clinical atherosclerosis. The prevalence of clinical and subclinical atherosclerosis was higher than that reported by the European Society of Cardiology and observational studies that enrolled Italian healthy individuals as a control group, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: A higher prevalence of clinical and subclinical atherosclerosis was detected in SSc Italian patients and correlated with traditional and SSc-related risk factors.

DDS-SIRC Cooperative Conferences Feel the Burn: RFA for Chronic Radiation Proctitis.

Chronic radiation proctitis, although relatively rare, can be the source of severe comorbidity in patients who had undergone prior radiotherapy for pelvic malignancy. Although current treatments for radiation proctitis include argon plasma coagulation, heater probe, bipolar neodymium/yttrium aluminum garnet (Nd: YAG) lasers, these interventions are often burdened by the frequent occurrence of rectal ulcerations and stenosis. Since radiofrequency ablation (RFA) is frequently used to ablate esophageal malignancy and pre-malignancy, we report the efficacy of RFA using through the scope system in two patients with rectal bleeding due to radiation proctitis. In both cases, the procedure was well-tolerated with hemostasis achieved after 1 or 2 sessions of RFA. Mucosal re-epithelialization was observed in areas of previous bleeding with no stenosis or ulceration observed at follow-up.

Rectal Prolapse Pathological Features: Findings in Patients With Outlet Obstruction Treated With Stapled Transanal Rectal Resection.

BACKGROUND: Obstructed defecation syndrome is a common multifactorial disease for which treatment is based primarily on clinic presentation for the lack of reliable instrumental and anatomopathological criteria. OBJECTIVE: The study aimed to analyze the pathological findings of the resected rectal specimens after stapled transanal rectal resection in patients affected by outlet obstruction. DESIGN: Retrospective cohort study. SETTINGS: University hospital. PATIENTS: Patients who underwent rectal resection for obstructed defecation syndrome due to internal rectal prolapse were included. INTERVENTIONS: Specimens of patients with obstructed defecation syndrome were analyzed through conventional histology and morphometric image analysis and compared with those of rectal specimens excised for oncological diseases. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Analysis of the anatomopathological impairments underlying rectal prolapse. RESULTS: From January 2017 to December 2020, 46 specimens from the stapled transanal rectal resection group were compared with 40 specimens from the control group. In the stapled transanal rectal resection group, conventional histology revealed 34 samples (73.9%) had moderate- to severe-grade fibrosis with moderate-grade nerve degeneration in 33 cases (71.7%). In the control group, conventional histology revealed the absence of fibrosis in 31 specimens (77.5%), whereas the absence of nerve degeneration was detected in 37 specimens (92.5%). In the stapled transanal rectal resection group, morphometric image analysis showed severe-grade fibrosis in 25 cases (54.4%) compared to only low-grade fibrosis in 11 cases (27.5%). LIMITATIONS: The small sample size and the retrospective design of the study were limitations. Moreover, there was no chance to use specimens from healthy volunteers as the control group. CONCLUSIONS: Stapled transanal rectal resection specimens showed a higher rate of fibrosis and nerve dysplasia, an important parameter that is typically not considered preoperatively and could lead patients with rectal prolapse to the best treatment approach. See Video Abstract at http://links.lww.com/DCR/B928 . CARACTERSTICAS ANATOMOPATOLGICAS EN EL PROLAPSO DE RECTO HALLAZGOS EN PACIENTES CON OBSTRUCCIN DEL TRACTO DE SALIDA TRATADOS CON RESECCIN RECTAL TRANSANAL CON GRAPAS: ANTECEDENTES:El síndrome de obstrucción del tracto de salida, es una afección multifactorial común, cuyo tratamiento está basado principalmente en la presentación clínica, ésto, debido a la falta de criterios confiables tanto instrumentales como anatomopatológicos.OBJETIVO:Analizamos los hallazgos histopatológicos de las piezas de resección rectal obtenidas por vía transanal mediante grapas, realizadas en pacientes que presentaban obstrucción del tracto de salida.DISEÑO:Este fue un estudio de cohorte retrospectivo.AJUSTE:El escenario fue un hospital universitario.PACIENTES:Aquellos sometidos a resección rectal por síndrome obstructivo del tracto de salida causada por un prolapso rectal interno.INTERVENCIONES:Los especímenes de pacientes con síndrome obstructivo defecatorio fueron analizados mediante histología convencional y análisis de imágenes morfométricas, comparados con especímenes rectales resecados por enfermedad oncológica.PRINCIPALES MEDIDAS DE RESULTADO:El resultado primario se concentró en la investigación de las deficiencias anatomopatológicas subyacentes del prolapso rectal interno.RESULTADOS:Desde enero de 2017 hasta diciembre de 2020, se compararon 46 especímenes del grupo de resección rectal transanal con grapas con 40 especímenes del grupo de control. En histología convencional, el grupo de resección rectal transanal con grapas, 34 muestras (73,9%) presentaron un grado de fibrosis moderada-severa con un grado moderado de degeneración neurógena en 33 casos (71,7%). En el grupo control, la histología convencional reveló ausencia de fibrosis en 31 especímenes (77,5 %), mientras que la ausencia de degeneración neurógena se detectó en 37 controles (92,5 %). En el grupo de resección rectal transanal con grapas, el análisis de imágenes morfométricas mostró fibrosis moderada y fibrosis severa en 19 (41,3%) y 25 (54,4%) casos, respectivamente. En el grupo control, el análisis de imágenes morfométricas mostró solo un bajo grado de fibrosis en 11 casos (27,5%). Se encontró una diferencia significativa en todos los grados de fibrosis y displasia neurógena entre los grupos en las evaluaciones de análisis de imagen morfométrica e histología convencional (p < 0,001).LIMITACIONES:El pequeño tamaño de la muestra y el diseño retrospectivo del estudio. Además, no existe la posibilidad de utilizar un grupo de control con muestras de voluntarios sanos.CONCLUSIONES:Los especímenes de resección rectal transanal con grapas mostraron una mayor tasa de fibrosis y displasia neurógena, parámetro importante que actualmente no está considerado antes de la operación y en un futuro muy cercano podría orientar a los pacientes con prolapso rectal interno hacia un mejor enfoque de tratamiento. Consulte Video Resumen en http://links.lww.com/DCR/B928 . (Traducción-Dr. Xavier Delgadillo ).

Ileostomy versus colostomy: impact on functional outcomes after total mesorectal excision for rectal cancer.

AIM: Even if a defunctioning stoma mitigates the serious consequences of anastomotic leakage after total mesorectal excision (TME) for rectal cancer, the presence of a temporary stoma or having a stoma for a prolonged period of time may also be a determining factor for further morbidities and poor bowel function. The aim of this study was to evaluate the impact of diverting stomas on clinical and functional outcomes after TME, comparing ileostomy or colostomy effects. METHODS: All consecutive patients who underwent TME for rectal cancer between March 2017 and December 2020 in three Italian referral centres were enrolled in the present study. For every patient sex, age, stage of the tumour, neoadjuvant therapy, surgical technique, anastomotic technique, the presence of a diverting stoma, perioperative complications and functional postoperative status were recorded. Considering the diverting stoma, the kind of stoma, length of time before closure and stoma related complications were evaluated. RESULTS: During the study period 416 consecutive patients (63% men) were included. Preoperative neoadjuvant therapy was performed in 79%. A minimally invasive approach was performed in >95% of patients. Temporary stoma was performed during the operation in 387 patients (93%) (ileostomy 71%, colostomy 21%). The stoma was closed in 84% of patients. The median time from surgery to stoma closure was 145 days. No difference was found between ileostomy and colostomy in overall morbidity after stoma creation and closure. Moreover, increased postoperative functional disturbance seemed to be significantly proportional to the attending time for closure for ileostomy. CONCLUSION: The presence of a defunctioning stoma seems to have a negative impact on functional bowel activity, especially for delayed closure for ileostomy. This should be considered when the kind of stoma (ileostomy vs. colostomy) is selected for each patient.

Mid-term efficacy and postoperative wound management of laser hemorrhoidoplasty (LHP) vs conventional excisional hemorrhoidectomy in grade III hemorrhoidal disease: the twisting trend.

PURPOSE: Hemorrhoidal disease (HD) is a common condition, and several surgical techniques have been proposed to date without being able to achieve definitive consensus on their use and indications. Laser hemorrhoidoplasty (LHP) is a minimally invasive procedure for HD treatment determining the shrinkage of the hemorrhoidal piles by diode laser limiting the postoperative discomfort and pain. The aim of the current study was to evaluate the postoperative outcomes of HD patients undergoing LHP vs conventional Milligan-Morgan hemorrhoidectomy (MM). METHOD: Postoperative pain, wound care management, symptoms' resolution, patients' quality of life, and length of return to daily activity of grade III symptomatic HD patients undergoing LHP vs MM were retrospectively evaluated. The patients were followed-up for recurrence of prolapsed hemorrhoid or symptoms. RESULT: From January 2018 to December 2019, 93 patients received conventional Milligan Morgan as control group and 81 patients received laser hemorrhoidoplasty treatment using a 1470-nm diode laser. No significant intraoperative complications occurred in both groups. Laser hemorrhoidoplasty patients experienced lower postoperative pain score (p < 0.0001) and smoother wound management. After 25 ± 8 months follow-up, the recurrence of symptoms occurred in 8.1% after Milligan-Morgan and 21.6% after laser hemorrhoidoplasty (p < 0.05) with a similar Rorvik score (7.8 ± 2.6 in LHP group vs 7.6 ± 1.9 in MM group, p = 0.12). CONCLUSION: LHP demonstrated high efficacy in selected HD patients guaranteeing lower postoperative pain, easier wound care, higher rate of symptoms resolution, and greater patient appreciation compared to MM, even though it had a higher recurrence rate. Larger comparative studies are needed to address this issue.

Accuracy of computed tomography in staging acute appendicitis and its impact on surgical outcome and strategy: a multi-center retrospective case-control study.

INTRODUCTION: The aims of this study were to evaluate the concordance between AAST-CT appendicitis grading criteria, first published in 2014, and surgical findings and to assess the impact of CT staging on the choice of surgical approach. METHODS: This was a multi-center retrospective case-control study including 232 consecutive patients undergoing surgery for acute appendicitis and who had undergone preoperative CT evaluation between 1 January 2017 and 1 January 2022. Appendicitis severity was classified in 5 grades. For each degree of severity, the surgical outcome between patients undergoing open and surgical approach was compared. RESULTS: An almost perfect agreement (k = 0.96) was found between CT and surgery in staging acute appendicitis. The vast majority of patients with grade 1 and 2 appendicitis underwent laparoscopic surgical approach and showed low morbidity rate. In patients with grade 3 and 4 appendicitis, laparoscopic approach was adopted in 70% of cases and was associated, if compared to open, with a higher prevalence of postoperative abdominal collections (p = 0.05; fisher's exact test) and a significantly lower prevalence of surgical site infections (p = 0.0007; fisher's exact test). All the patients with grade 5 appendicitis were treated by laparotomy. CONCLUSIONS: AAST-CT appendicitis grading system seems to show a relevant prognostic value and a potential impact on the choice of surgical strategy, directing toward a laparoscopic approach in patients with grade 1 and 2, an initial laparoscopic approach, replaceable by the open one, for grade 3 and 4 and an open approach in patients with grade 5.

Impact of Preoperative Three-Dimensional Endoanal Ultrasound on the Surgical Outcome of Primary Fistula in Ano. A Multi-Center Observational Study of 253 Patients.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the impact of preoperative three-dimensional endoanal ultrasound (3D-EAUS) on the clinical outcome of anal fistula surgery. METHODS: The research consisted of multi-center retrospective case-control study including 253 consecutive adult patients undergoing surgery for confirmed or suspected primary fistula in ano who had undergone preoperative 3D-EAUS evaluation between January 2011 and January 2021. Main outcome measures were the concordance (K value) between ultrasound results and surgery in the identification of fistulas internal openings, primary tracts and secondary extensions and the 6 and 12 months success rate in patients with concordant and discordant findings. RESULTS: A good agreement in the identification of the main fistulas characteristics between ultrasound results and operative findings was found. A significant difference (P < .0001; Fisher's exact test) in the success rate was found between patients with concordant and discordant ultrasound results and operative findings in identification or location of internal opening. Particularly, all the 11 (4.8%) patients with discordant results experimented a failure of the surgical procedure at 6 months follow-up. At re-operation, the shift from discordant to concordant results was associated with an 81.8% 12 months success-rate. CONCLUSION: The three-dimensional endoanal ultrasound preoperative evaluation may have a relevant impact on the outcome of a defined group of patients undergoing surgery for anal fistula, since the careful evaluation of ultrasound results could simplify the internal orifice intra-operative detection and improve the success rate.

Role of Inflammatory Biomarkers (NLR, LMR, PLR) in the Prognostication of Malignancy in Indeterminate Thyroid Nodules.

Indeterminate follicular thyroid lesions (Thyr 3A and 3B) account for 10% to 30% of all cytopathologic diagnoses, and their unpredictable behavior represents a hard clinical challenge. The possibility to preoperatively predict malignancy is largely advocated to establish a tailored surgery, preventing diagnostic thyroidectomy. We analyzed the role of the neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR), the platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio (PLR) and the lymphocyte-to-monocyte ratio (LMR) as prognostic factors of malignancy for indeterminate thyroid nodules. In patients affected by cytological Thyr 3A/3B nodules, NLR, PLR and LMR were retrospectively compared and correlated with definitive pathology malignancy, utilizing student's t-test, ROC analysis and logistic regression. One-hundred and thirty-eight patients presented a Thyr 3A and 215 patients presented a Thyr 3B. After the logistic regression, in Thyr 3A, none of the variables were able to predict malignancy. In Thyr 3B, NLR prognosticated thyroid cancer with an AUC value of 0.685 (p < 0.0001) and a cut-off of 2.202. The NLR results were also similar when considering the overall cohort. The use of cytological risk stratification in addressing the management of indeterminate thyroid nodules in patients is not always reliable. NLR is an easy and reproducible inflammatory biomarker capable of improving the accuracy of preoperative prognostication of malignancy.

Non-Invasive Ventilation Reduces Postoperative Respiratory Failure in Patients Undergoing Bariatric Surgery: A Retrospective Analysis.

Background and Objectives: Postoperative non-invasive ventilation (NIV) has been proposed as an attractive strategy to reduce morbidity in obese subjects undergoing general anaesthesia. The increased body mass index (BMI) correlates with loss of perioperative functional residual capacity, expiratory reserve volume, and total lung capacity. The aim of the current study is to evaluate the efficacy of NIV in a post-anaesthesia care unit (PACU) in reducing post-extubation acute respiratory failure (ARF) after biliointestinal bypass (BIBP) in obese patients. Materials and Methods: A retrospective analysis was conducted from January 2019 to December 2020 to compare acute respiratory failure within the first 72 postoperative hours and oximetry values of obese patients who underwent BIBP after postoperative NIV adoption or conventional Venturi mask. Results: In total, 50 patients who received NIV postoperative protocol and 57 patients who received conventional Venturi mask ventilation were included in the study. After 120 min in PACU pH, pCO2, pO2, and SpO2 were better in the NIV group vs. control group (p < 0.001). Seventy-two hours postoperatively, one patient (2%) in the NIV group vs. seven patients (12.2%) in the control group developed acute respiratory failure. Therefore, conventional Venturi mask ventilation resulted in being significantly associated (p < 0.05) with postoperative ARF with an RR of 0.51 (IC 0.27-0.96). Conclusions: After bariatric surgery, short-term NIV during PACU observation promotes a more rapid recovery of postoperative lung function and oxygenation in obese patients, reducing the necessity for critical care in the days following surgery. Therefore, as day-case surgery becomes more advocated even for morbid obesity, it might be considered a necessary procedure.

Long-Term Outcomes of Sectorial Longitudinal Augmented Prolapsectomy for Asymmetric Muco-hemorrhoidal Prolapse: An Observational Study of 433 Consecutive Patients.

PURPOSE: Hemorrhoidal disease (HD) is a widespread condition severely influencing patients' quality of life. Recently, the large diffusion of stapled hemorrhoidopexy has revealed a new unexpected pathological entity: the asymmetric mucosal prolapse. We aimed to assess the outcomes of the sectorial longitudinal augmented prolapsectomy (SLAP), a technique dedicated to asymmetric prolapse, in terms of HD symptoms, prolapse recurrence, and rectal stenosis. METHODS: Patients affected by III-IV-degree symptomatic HD with asymmetric mucosal prolapse undergone SLAP of 1 or 2 hemorrhoidal columns (SLAP1 or SLAP2) were retrospectively assessed. The severity of hemorrhoid symptoms and fecal continence status were evaluated before and after surgery. Mean outcome was evaluation of medium-long-term outcomes as the occurrence of recurrence and anal or rectal stenosis. Secondary outcome was the evaluation of postoperative bleeding, reoperation rate, length of hospitalization, fecal urgency, and time to return to work. RESULTS: We enrolled 433 patients (277 SLAP1 and 156 SLAP2). Hemorrhoidal symptoms recurrence was reported in 9 patients undergone SLAP1 and 4 patients undergone SLAP2, while prolapse recurrence occurred, respectively, in 4 and 2 patients. No major intraoperative complications occurred. An emergency reintervention for postoperative bleeding occurred in 13 cases undergone SLAP1 and in 5 patients treated with SLAP2. Fecal incontinence occurred in 8 and 4 cases of patients treated with SLAP1 and SLAP2. CONCLUSIONS: The combination of a simple hemorrhoidectomy to a mucosal rectal prolapsectomy should be part of every coloproctologist background. Promising and satisfying results can be achieved using SLAP for HD associated with asymmetric prolapse.

Thyroid-Bed Schwannoma Mimicking a Thyroid Neoplasm: A Challenging Diagnosis: Report of a Case and Literature Review.

BACKGROUND: Schwannomas, also called neurinomas, are rare benign tumors of the neural cells that can develop from the sheaths of nervous structures of several districts, although the most frequent sites are the cranial nerves (25%-45%). Rarely, cases show neck schwannomas in the thyroid parenchyma, while the cases of thyroid-bed schwannomas mimicking a thyroid-gland lesions are anecdotal. METHODS: We report the case of a 70-year-old man with a preoperative-imaging diagnosis of a thyroid neoplasm, confirmed as Thyr 4 by fine-needle cytology. RESULTS: During surgery, an extra-thyroidal lesion was discovered, determined to be a neck schwannoma through definitive pathology. A literature review of cases of thyroid-bed-lesion schwannomas misinterpreted as thyroid neoplasms was carried out. CONCLUSIONS: In the case of suspicious extra-thyroidal lesions, we advocate for a close routine cooperation between the cytologist, the radiologist, and the surgeon in the attempt to reach an accurate preoperative diagnosis.

Comparison of bursting pressure on sleeve gastrectomy staple lines between stapling, buttressing, and oversewing.

Backgrounds. One of the major complications after laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy (LSG) is represented by leaks along the staple line. Several reinforcement techniques have been proposed, but scarce data about the real strengthening offered are present. Thus, we aimed to evaluate if different reinforcements produced different bursting pressures after LSG, and then to verify if the clinical application of the stronger reinforcement produced a reduction in leakage rate. Methods. We prospectively enrolled all consecutive obese patients that underwent LSG. We tested 3 different types of staple lines, as follows: group 1, no reinforcement; group 2, bioabsorbable buttress reinforcement; group 3, invaginating overrunning barbed suture. A burst pressure test was applied to the gastric specimen by means of high-resolution manometric catheter. After burst pressure tests, a subsequent consecutive series of patients were treated with the most effective reinforcement, and rate of leaks was recorded. Results. We enrolled in total 110 obese patients; 20 patients for each group of staple line reinforcement and then other 50 consecutive patients underwent LSG with the higher burst pressure staple line reinforcement. Median burst pressures were similar in group 1 and group 2; group 3 showed a statistically significant pressure increase (P < .0001) than group 1 and group 2, with a 5.2-fold value. Other consecutive 50 obese patients underwent LSG with overrunning reinforcement. In none of them a leak was detected. Conclusions. Reinforcement of the SG staple line, with overrunning suture, seems to drastically increase bursting pressures in an ex vivo model and it is promising when reproduced in vivo.

Middle-term Outcomes of Gatekeeper Implantation for Fecal Incontinence.

BACKGROUND: Intersphincteric injectable bulking agents are one of the current treatment options for fecal incontinence, failing behavioral and medical therapy. Gatekeeper showed promising short-term results, but long-term outcomes are unknown. OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to clinically evaluate a prospective cohort of fecal incontinence patients up to 36 months after implantation of Gatekeeper. DESIGN: This was a prospective clinical study. SETTINGS: The study was conducted at a large university tertiary care hospital. PATIENTS: Consecutive female patients were eligible if fecal incontinence onset was ≥6 months before the first visit and symptoms were refractory to standard conservative measures. INTERVENTIONS: All of the patients underwent implantation of 4 or 6 Gatekeeper prostheses. Three-dimensional endoanal ultrasonography and high-resolution anorectal manometry were performed preoperatively and postoperatively at 2 and 3 months after implantation. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: The Cleveland Clinic Fecal Incontinence score was calculated at baseline and 1, 3, 12, 24, and 36 months postoperatively. RESULTS: Twenty patients (all women; median age, 59 y) were enrolled, and all implants were uneventful. Postoperative endoanal ultrasonography showed normal prosthesis localization in 16 patients (80%). At manometry, mean anal resting pressure significantly improved (57.8 ± 7.5 mm Hg; p = 0.0004). Mean preoperative Cleveland Clinic Fecal Incontinence score was 12.4 ± 1.8, with significant improvements initially documented at 3 months (4.9 ± 1.5; p < 0.0001) and sustained up to 36 months (4.9 ± 1.7; p < 0.0001). Patients receiving only 4 (compared with 6) prostheses and those experiencing pudendal neuropathy (compared with those who did not) showed significantly higher Cleveland Clinic Fecal Incontinence score values in the middle term. LIMITATIONS: The study was limited by its small sample size and absence of quality-of-life data. CONCLUSIONS: Initial improvements after Gatekeeper implantation for fecal incontinence are sustained in the middle term. Accurate preoperative evaluation of coexistent clinical conditions that may negatively affect outcomes is recommended for patient selection. See Video Abstract at http://links.lww.com/DCR/B109. RESULTADOS A MEDIANO PLAZO EN LA IMPLANTACIÓN DE GATEKEEPER PARA LA INCONTINENCIA FECAL: Los agentes de volumen inyectables interesfintéricos, son opciones actuales de tratamiento para la incontinencia fecal, ante fallas de terapias conductuales y médicas. Gatekeeper mostró resultados prometedores a corto plazo, pero resultados a largo plazo aún son desconocidos.Evaluar clínicamente una cohorte prospectiva de pacientes con incontinencia fecal, hasta 36 meses después de la implantación de Gatekeeper.Estudio clínico prospectivo.El estudio se realizó en un gran hospital universitario de atención terciaria.Fueron elegibles pacientes femeninas consecutivas, si el inicio de la incontinencia fecal, fue al menos 6 meses antes de la primera visita, y que los síntomas fueron refractarios a las medidas conservadoras estandarizadas.Todas las pacientes fueron sometidas a implantación de 4 o 6 prótesis Gatekeeper. Se realizó ecografía endoanal de 3D y manometría anorrectal de alta resolución, antes de la implantación y después a los 2 y 3 meses.Se calculó el puntaje de incontinencia fecal de la Cleveland Clinic al inicio, y a los 1, 3, 12, 24 y 36 meses después de la operación.Se inscribieron veinte pacientes (todas mujeres; con edad media de 59 años), y todos los implantes transcurrieron sin incidentes. La ecografía endoanal postoperatoria, mostró localización normal de la prótesis en 16 (80%) pacientes. A la manometría, la presión media de reposo anal, mejoró significativamente (57.8 ± 7.5 mmHg, p = 0.0004). La puntuación media preoperatoria de la incontinencia fecal de la Cleveland Clinic, fue de 12.35 ± 1.75, con mejoras significativas documentadas inicialmente a los 3 meses (4.9 ± 1.5, p <0.0001) y sostenidas hasta los 36 meses (4.9 ± 1.7, p <0.0001). Los pacientes que recibieron solo 4 prótesis (en comparación con 6) y que padecían neuropatía pudenda (en comparación con aquellas que no la padecían), mostraron valores de puntaje de Incontinencia Fecal de la Clínica Cleveland, significativamente más altos en el mediano plazo.El tamaño pequeño de la muestra y la ausencia de datos en calidad de vida.Las mejoras iniciales después de la implantación de Gatekeeper para la incontinencia fecal, se mantienen en el mediano plazo. Para la selección de pacientes, se recomienda una precisa evaluación preoperatoria de las condiciones clínicas coexistentes, que puedan afectar negativamente los resultados. Consulte Video Resumen en http://links.lww.com/DCR/B109.

Implantable Agents for Fecal Incontinence: An Age-Matched Retrospective Cohort Analysis of GateKeeper versus SphinKeeper.

Background. We aim to evaluate morphofunctional changes of the sphincter complex after GateKeeper (GK) and SphinKeeper (SK) procedures and correlate these with symptom improvement. Methods. Ten consecutive females undergoing SK implant were age-matched with a cohort of 10 females who previously underwent the GK procedure. Patients in the SK and GK groups underwent implantation of 10 and 6 prostheses, respectively. Muscle tension (Tm), expressed in millinewtons per centimetre squared, mN (cm2)-1, was calculated using the equation Tm = P(ri)(tm)-1, where P is the average maximum squeeze pressure and ri and tm the inner radius and thickness of the external anal sphincter, respectively. The pre- and postimplant changes in Tm and Cleveland Clinic Fecal Incontinence Score (CCFIS) were tested by linear and Poisson regression models, respectively. Results. The CCFIS significantly improved in both groups at 12-month postimplantation. Although not reaching statistical significance, symptom improvement after SK was 33% above that observed after GK (P = .088). Compared to the baseline, a significant increase in Tm was observed in both groups at 12 months (GK, 508.1 [478.8-568.0] vs 864.4 [827.0-885.8] mN (cm2)-1; SK, 528.0 [472.7-564.0] vs 858.6 [828.0-919.6] mN (cm2)-1, P = .005). Compared to the GK group, Tm was significantly higher in patients after SK implant (158.3 mN (cm2)-1 [95% confidence interval, 109.6-207.0]; P < .001), after controlling for baseline values, at 12-month postimplantation. Conclusions. GK and SK are safe and effective treatments for FI with good short-term clinical outcomes. Comparative analysis showed superiority of SK over GK in terms of gain in Tm, with borderline significantly better improvement in symptoms. Larger studies are needed to confirm these findings.

A mini-invasive procedure for the treatment of supralevator abscess of cryptoglandular origin by extrasphincteric extension: preliminary results at 1-year follow-up.

AIM: The aim of this retrospective study is to evaluate the preliminary results of a mini-invasive procedure for the treatment of supralevator abscesses (SLA) of cryptoglandular origin by extrasphincteric extension. METHOD: In this clinical study, an innovative two-stage procedure was tested for the surgical treatment of SLA. As first step and as a preparation for surgery, the interventional radiologist positioned a CT-guided percutaneous perianal guidewire inside the abscess cavity under local anesthesia. As second step, the surgeon performed an abscess incision and drainage around the guidewire, with a complete debridement of all the necrotic tissue. If a complex anal fistula was identified, a loose seton was placed in situ. RESULTS: Nine patients, comprising 5 men (55%) and 4 women (45%), underwent the above-mentioned two-stage procedure to treat SLA of cryptoglandular origin. Median age was 32 years (range, 25-42 years). A silicone draining seton was placed during the surgical procedure in 5 patients (55%), since a coexisting fistula was also revealed by surgery. A repeat surgery, along with a new drainage procedure, was required in one patient out of nine (11.1%) for a complete wound healing. The complete wound healing was achieved after a median of 30 days (range, 26-38). At the 1-year follow-up, the healing rate was 89%. CONCLUSIONS: The treatment of SLA of cryptoglandular origin by using this innovative two-stage procedure may be a safe and convenient surgical option to effectively decrease the risk of recurrence and anal sphincteric injuries.

Sacral nerve stimulation in slow-transit constipation: effectiveness at 5-year follow-up.

AIM: The aim of this study is to evaluate the short- and long-term efficacy of sacral nerve stimulation (SNS) for treating slow-transit constipation (STC). METHOD: This is a retrospective cohort analysis of the efficacy of SNS in treating patients affected by STC, who previously failed to respond to conservative therapies. Only patients free of concomitant diseases were enrolled in our study. A temporary stimulation lead was initially implanted; patients with a > 50% symptom reduction were eventually deemed eligible for a permanent implant. RESULTS: This study enrolled 25 patients who underwent a SNS test stimulation; 21 patients (13 women; median age 32 years) eventually got a permanent implant. The median preoperative Cleveland Clinic Constipation Score (CCCS) was 21 (16-25). Preoperative colorectal transit time recorded a median of 10 markers (7-19) retained in the colorectal tract. At 6-month postoperative follow-up, the total number of markers retained in the colorectal tract decreased to 3 (0-4). The CCCS score improved during the first postoperative year (P < 0.001), but progressively worsened over the longer term. The SF-36 questionnaire showed an improvement in all 8 scales measuring physical and psycho-emotional states; all parameters recorded into the bowel diary also improved. Overall, at 60-month follow up, the overall neuromodulator removal rate was 48%. CONCLUSIONS: The SNS is a minimally invasive surgical procedure that we tested for treating STC. The short-term outcome was promisingly after 6 months; however, there was a declining trend beyond this interval. Thus, the long-term efficacy of SNS needs to be further assessed.

Permacol Collagen Paste Injection for Treatment of Complex Cryptoglandular Anal Fistulas: An Observational Cohort Study With a 2-Year Follow-up.

BACKGROUND: Permacol paste injection is a novel treatment approach for complex cryptoglandular anal fistulas. This study was performed to evaluate the long-term clinical outcomes of treatment with Permacol paste for complex cryptoglandular fistulas. METHODS: Patients with primary or recurrent complex cryptoglandular anal fistulas treated with Permacol paste from 2014 to 2016 were retrospectively analyzed. RESULTS: A total of 46 patients (median age, 41.3 years; 21 female) underwent Permacol paste injection; 20 patients (43%) had previously undergone failed fistula surgery. The patients had experienced anal fistula-related symptoms for a median of 10 weeks (range, 3-50 weeks). All patients had a draining seton in situ for a median of 10 weeks (range, 4-46 weeks). The median follow-up time was 24 months (range, 1-25 months). At the 1-month follow-up, 2 patients had paste extrusion and 2 had anal abscesses. The mean preoperative Continence Grading Scale score was 1.10 ± 1.40, and that at 3 months postoperatively was 1.13 ± 1.39 ( P = .322). There was a significant difference in the preoperative and the 1- and 3-month postoperative pain scores ( P < .001). At the 24-month follow-up, the healing rate was 50% (n = 23). A total of 19 patients (41%) with a recurrent fistula after failed Permacol paste injection required additional operative procedures. The satisfaction rate at the 2-year follow-up was 65%. CONCLUSION: Permacol paste injection is minimally invasive and technically easy to perform. It can be considered as a viable and reasonable option for the treatment of complex cryptoglandular anal fistulas in patients with fecal continence disorders.