Systematic review and meta-analysis of surgical interventions for high cryptoglandular perianal fistula.

PURPOSE: Perianal fistulas, and specifically high perianal fistulas, remain a surgical treatment challenge. Many techniques have, and still are, being developed to improve outcome after surgery. A systematic review and meta-analysis was performed for surgical treatments for high cryptoglandular perianal fistulas. METHODS: Medline (Pubmed, Ovid), Embase and The Cochrane Library databases were searched for relevant randomized controlled trials on surgical treatments for high cryptoglandular perianal fistulas. Two independent reviewers selected articles for inclusion based on title, abstract and outcomes described. The main outcome measurement was the recurrence/healing rate. Secondary outcomes were continence status, quality of life and complications. RESULTS: The number of randomized trials available was low. Fourteen studies could be included in the review. A meta-analysis could only be performed for the mucosa advancement flap versus the fistula plug, and did not show a result in favour of either technique in recurrence or complication rate. The mucosa advancement flap was the most investigated technique, but did not show an advantage over any other technique. Other techniques identified in randomized studies were seton treatment, medicated seton treatment, fibrin glue, autologous stem cells, island flap anoplasty, rectal wall advancement flap, ligation of intersphincteric fistula tract, sphincter reconstruction, sphincter-preserving seton and techniques combined with antibiotics. None of these techniques seem superior to each other. CONCLUSIONS: The best surgical treatment for high cryptoglandular perianal fistulas could not be identified. More randomized controlled trials are needed to find the best treatment. The mucosa advancement flap is the most investigated technique available.

Long-term outcome of low perianal fistulas treated by fistulotomy: a multicenter study.

PURPOSE: Fistulotomy is considered to be the golden standard for the treatment of low perianal fistula but might have more influence on continence status than believed. This study was performed to evaluate the healing rate after a fistulotomy and to show results for continence status. METHODS: A retrospective database study was performed in one university medical center and its six affiliated hospitals. All patients treated with a fistulotomy for a low perianal fistula were identified. Healing and recurrence of the fistula were identified. Questionnaires on continence status and quality of life were mailed to all patients. RESULTS: In total, 537 patients were identified. The primary etiology of the fistulas was cryptoglandular (66.5%). Recurrence was seen in 88 patients (16.4%) resulting in a primary healing rate of 83.6%. After secondary treatment for the recurrence, another 40 patients healed. This resulted in a secondary healing rate of 90.3%. The Kaplan-Meier analysis showed that at 5 years, the healing rate was 0.81 (95% confidence interval (95% CI) 0.71-0.85). The mean Vaizey score was 4.67 (SD 4.80). Major incontinence, defined as a Vaizey score of >6, was seen in 95 (28.0%) patients. Only 26.3% of the patients had a perfect continence status (Vaizey score 0). Quality of life was not different from the general population. CONCLUSIONS: Fistulotomy seems to be associated with a healing rate of 0.81 (95% CI 0.71-0.85) after 5 years. However, major incontinence is still reported by 26.8% of patients and only 26.3% of patients had a perfect continence status.

Treatment of Crohn's disease-related high perianal fistulas combining the mucosa advancement flap with platelet-rich plasma: a pilot study.

BACKGROUND: Healing rates after surgical closure for high perianal fistula in patients with Crohn's disease are even more disappointing than in patients with cryptoglandular fistulas. The objective was to improve healing rates by combining the well-known mucosal advancement flap with platelet-rich plasma. METHODS: A prospective pilot study was conducted in one tertiary referral centre. Consecutive patients with primary or recurrent Crohn's disease-related high perianal fistulas, defined as involving the middle and/or upper third parts of the anal sphincter complex, were included. A staged procedure was performed with non-cutting seton treatment for 3 months first, followed by a mucosal advancement flap with injection of platelet-rich plasma into the fistula tract. RESULTS: Ten consecutive patients were operated on between 2009 and 2014. Half (50%) of the patients had undergone previous fistula surgery. Mean follow-up was 23.3 months (SD 13.0). Healing of the fistula was 70% (95% confidence interval, 33-89%) at 1 year. One (10%) patient had a recurrence, and in two (20%) patients, the fistula was persistent after treatment. An abscess occurred in one (10%) patient. The median post-operative Vaizey score was 8.0 (range 0-21), indicating a moderate to severe continence impairment. CONCLUSIONS: The results of combining the mucosal advancement flap with platelet-rich plasma in patients with Crohn's disease-related high perianal fistulas are moderate with a healing rate of 70%. Further investigation is needed to determine the benefits and risks on continence status for this technique in this patient population.

Rectovaginal fistula: a new technique and preliminary results using collagen matrix biomesh.

BACKGROUND: A rectovaginal fistula (RVF) is a debilitating condition that is difficult to treat. Many available techniques are invasive and involve extensive surgery. A local procedure with good closure rates would be preferable as a first step in the treatment of RVF. The aim of this study was the development of a local technique for the closure of RVF with good closure rates to prevent the use of more invasive procedures. METHODS: This was a pilot study. Patients with RVF who had undergone multiple operations in the pelvic area, local radiotherapy, chemotherapy or had been diagnosed with Crohn's disease were included in the study. All had a history of surgery for RVF. A cross-linked collagen matrix biomesh was placed in the rectovaginal septum using a transperineal or a transvaginal approach. The main outcome measure in this study was the closure rate reported as absence of the fistula at 1 year. RESULTS: Twelve patients were included in the study. Absence of fistula at 1 year was 0.64 (95 % confidence interval 0.30-0.85). Three patients (25.0 %) developed a recurrence, two were reoperated on with a gracilis flap transposition, and one was treated with laparoscopic ligation. In one patient (8.3 %), the fistula failed to close within 3 months after the mesh placement. CONCLUSIONS: Our technique shows promising results. A local and simple technique with acceptable closure and morbidity rates, like our local repair with biomesh, would be ideal as a first step in treating RVFs. Long-term results are needed.

Multiplanar reconstruction computed tomography for diagnosis of scaphoid waist fracture union: a prospective cohort analysis of accuracy and precision.

OBJECTIVE: To examine reliability and validity concerning union of scaphoid fractures determined by multiplanar reconstruction computed tomography randomized at 6, 12, and 24 weeks after injury. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We used Fleiss' kappa to measure the opinions of three observers reviewing 44 sets of computed tomographic scans of 44 conservatively treated scaphoid waist fractures. We calculated kappa for the extent of consolidation (0-24 %, 25-49 %, 50-74 %, or 75-100 %) on the transverse, sagittal and coronal views. We also calculated kappa for no union, partial union, and union, and grouped the results for 6, 12, and 24 weeks after injury. As the reference standard for union, CT scans were performed at a minimum of 6 months after injury to determine validity. RESULTS: Overall inter-observer agreement was found to be moderate (κ = 0.576). No union (κ = 0.791), partial union (κ = 0.502), and union (κ = 0.683) showed substantial, moderate, and substantial agreement, respectively. The average sensitivity of multiplanar reconstruction CT for diagnosing union of scaphoid waist fractures was 73 %. The average specificity was 80 %. CONCLUSIONS: Our results suggest that multiplanar reconstruction computed tomography is a reliable and accurate method for diagnosing union or nonunion of scaphoid fractures. However, inter-observer agreement was lower with respect to partial union.

Internal Hernia After Laparoscopic Gastric Bypass Without Preventive Closure of Mesenteric Defects: a Single Institution's Experience.

BACKGROUND: Internal herniation (IH) is a well-known complication after laparoscopic gastric bypass (LGB). Diagnosing and managing IH can be challenging. This retrospective cohort study aimed to achieve a greater understanding of symptomatology, diagnostic tools, complications, risk of IH recurrence, and symptom relief in IH patients. METHODS: We included patients who underwent LGB surgery at our institution between 2011 and 2015. Mesenteric defects were not preventively closed during LGB. We focused on LGB patients who underwent surgical intervention(s) for suspected IH during a 7-year study period. We studied patient characteristics, (predictive) symptoms and signs, abdominal imaging, operative findings, post-operative course, and risk of (recurrent) IH. RESULTS: A total of 1588 patients were included. In total, 243 patients underwent IH-related diagnostic laparoscopy. Radiating pain to the back (OR 2.45, p = .03), post-prandial pain (OR 3.23, p = .00), and leukocytosis (OR 15.53, p = .01) were identified as predictors of IH. The estimated risk of IH-related diagnostic laparoscopy was 16% at 3 years post-LGB, and the risk of confirmed IH was 12%. The estimated risk of diagnostic laparoscopy for suspected recurrent IH was 10% at 5 years post-LGB. In patients who underwent secondary mesenteric defects closure, post-operative symptom relief was reported in 84%. CONCLUSION: This study demonstrates a considerable risk of developing IH after LGB without preventive closure of the mesenteric defects. We emphasize the value of diagnostic laparoscopy to achieve symptom relief in patients with suspicion of IH. Preoperative diagnosis of IH can be improved by being watchful of specific symptoms and signs which can predict the intra-operative presence of IH.

The clinical and radiological outcome of pulsed electromagnetic field treatment for acute scaphoid fractures: a randomised double-blind placebo-controlled multicentre trial.

The use of pulsed electromagnetic fields (PEMF) to stimulate bone growth has been recommended as an alternative to the surgical treatment of ununited scaphoid fractures, but has never been examined in acute fractures. We hypothesised that the use of PEMF in acute scaphoid fractures would accelerate the time to union by 30% in a randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled, multicentre trial. A total of 53 patients in three different medical centres with a unilateral undisplaced acute scaphoid fracture were randomly assigned to receive either treatment with PEMF (n = 24) or a placebo (n = 29). The clinical and radiological outcomes were assessed at four, six, nine, 12, 24 and 52 weeks. A log-rank analysis showed that neither time to clinical and radiological union nor the functional outcome differed significantly between the groups. The clinical assessment of union indicated that at six weeks tenderness in the anatomic snuffbox (p = 0.03) as well as tenderness on longitudinal compression of the scaphoid (p = 0.008) differed significantly in favour of the placebo group. We conclude that stimulation of bone growth by PEMF has no additional value in the conservative treatment of acute scaphoid fractures.