Pelvic floor dysfunction in inflammatory bowel disease.

Advances in tailored medical therapy and introduction of biologic agents for inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) treatment have ensured long-term disease remission. Some patients, however, still report defecatory symptoms. Patients present with a wide spectrum of conditions - anal incontinence, obstructed defecation and pelvic pain among the most frequent - that have a great impact on their quality of life. Due to IBD diagnosis, little relevance is attributed to this type of symptoms and their epidemiologic distribution is unknown. Pathogenetic hypotheses are currently under investigation. Routine diagnostic workflow and therapeutic options in pelvic floor service are often underused. The evaluation of these disorders starts with an endoscopy to rule out ongoing disease; the following diagnostic workflow is the same as in patients without IBD. For fecal incontinence and obstructed defecation, simple conservative therapy with dietary modifications and appropriate fluid intake is effective in most cases. In non-responding patients, anorectal physiology tests and imaging are required to select patients for pelvic floor muscle training and biofeedback. These treatments have been proven effective in IBD patients. Some new minimally invasive alternative strategies are available for IBD patients, as sacral nerve and posterior tibial nerve stimulation; for other ones (e.g., bulking agent implantation) IBD still remains an exclusion criterion. In order to preserve anatomical areas that could be useful for future reconstructive techniques, surgical options to cure pelvic floor dysfunction are indicated only in a small group of IBD patients, due to the high risk of failure in wound healing and to the possible side effects of surgery, which can lead to anal incontinence or to a possible proctectomy. A particular issue among defecatory symptoms in patients with IBD is paradoxical puborectalis contraction after restorative proctocolectomy: if this disorder is properly diagnosed, a conservative treatment is indicated, thus avoiding unnecessary laparotomy for small bowel occlusion. Pelvic pain management, coordinated by a specialist with expertise in pelvic floor disorders, includes many options, which vary from oral or local therapies to pelvic floor rehabilitation and sacral nerve stimulation. Surgical procedures often have unsatisfactory outcomes. Diagnosis and investigation of anorectal functional disorders in patients with IBD is important in order to implement better-suited diagnostic and therapeutic strategies, so as to avoid unnecessary and potentially detrimental medical and surgical therapies, with the final aim of improving patients' quality of life.

Role of early ultrasound in detecting inflammatory intestinal disorders and identifying their anatomical location within the bowel.

BACKGROUND: Although bowel ultrasound is a widely accepted diagnostic tool in bowel diseases, its value as the primary imaging procedure in patients with symptoms/signs suggestive of inflammatory bowel disorders is still unclear. AIM: To investigate the accuracy of bowel ultrasound compared with barium X-ray studies, computed tomography, endoscopy and bowel surgery in the initial assessment of inflammatory bowel disorders. METHODS: Four hundred and eighty-seven patients hospitalized consecutively for symptoms or signs suggestive of a bowel disorder between December 1999 and March 2002 were initially enrolled in the study. All patients underwent bowel ultrasound as the first imaging procedure within 36 h of admission; radiographic evaluations, endoscopy and/or surgery were then performed as appropriate and the results of these investigations were used as the gold standard. RESULTS: Three hundred and thirty-six patients had pathological findings of the bowel detectable at ultrasound as the final diagnosis. The main organic disorders found were Crohn's disease (56%), ulcerative/indeterminate colitis (30%), bowel tumours (5%), appendicitis/diverticulitis (2%) and other inflammatory conditions (8%). The overall sensitivity and specificity of bowel ultrasound were 85% and 95%, respectively, whereas the positive and negative predictive values were 98% and 75%, respectively. Comparisons of ultrasound with X-ray or endoscopic results by disease localization showed that the diagnostic performance of ultrasound was higher for inflammatory conditions of the ileum and sigmoid/descending colon (sensitivity of 92% and 87%, respectively), whereas abnormalities localized in the rectum, duodenum and proximal jejunum were often missed by ultrasound. CONCLUSIONS: In expert hands, bowel ultrasound is highly predictive of inflammatory disease localized in the ileum or colon, and may well be used as the primary imaging method when Crohn's disease or ulcerative colitis is suspected on a clinical basis.

Behaviour of the bowel wall during the first year after surgery is a strong predictor of symptomatic recurrence of Crohn's disease: a prospective study.

BACKGROUND: Recurrences after surgery for Crohn's disease are frequent and unpredictable. To date, there is little agreement as to which factors increase a patient risk of early recurrence. AIM: To assess whether the post-operative behaviour of diseased bowel walls, as determined by ultrasound, may be a useful predictor of relapse. METHODS: A total of 127 Crohn's disease patients were monitored after surgery by means of bowel ultrasound as well as by clinical and laboratory evaluations for a median follow-up of 41.0 months. Bowel wall thickness of diseased loops measured at ultrasound during follow-up was compared with the presurgery values. Multivariable survival analysis was performed to elucidate predictors of early post-operative recurrence. Receiver operating characteristic curves were also constructed taking into account bowel wall thickness for selecting Crohn's disease patients with high risk of clinical/surgical recurrence. RESULTS: The estimated 5 years survival probability of symptomatic Crohn's disease recurrence were 90% and 33%, respectively for unchanged/worsened bowel wall thickness vs. improved bowel wall thickness at 12 months from surgery. The hazard ratio for unchanged/worsened bowel wall thickness at 12 months was 8.9 (95% CI: 3.4-23.2). Receiver operating characteristic curve identified a bowel wall thickness > 6.0 mm at 12 months from surgery as directly associated with the risk of having a Crohn's disease recurrence (hazard ratio was 6.5, 95% CI: 2.8-15.4). CONCLUSIONS: Systematic ultrasound follow-up of diseased bowel walls after conservative surgery allows the early identification of patients at high risk of clinical/surgical recurrence.

Long-term results and multivariate analysis of prognostic factors in 138 consecutive patients operated on for Crohn's disease using "bowel-sparing" techniques.

BACKGROUND: Conservative surgery has become accepted as a useful option for the surgical treatment of complicated Crohn's disease (CD). METHODS: One hundred thirty-eight consecutive patients treated with strictureplasty or miniresections for complicated CD have been observed prospectively. The possible influence of a number of variables on the risk of recurrence was investigated using the Cox proportional hazard model, and a time-to-event analysis was made using the Kaplan-Meier function. RESULTS: There was no perioperative mortality; the morbidity rate was 5.7%. A close correlation was found between the risk of recurrence and the time between diagnosis and first surgery. The overall 5-year recurrence rate was 24%, being 36% in the patients requiring surgery within 1 year of diagnosis and 14% in those operated on more than 1 year after diagnosis. CONCLUSIONS: Risk factor analysis highlighted a group of patients at high risk of surgical recurrence. Given that our results are similar to those reported in other series, we consider strictureplasty and miniresections safe and effective procedures for the treatment of complicated CD.

Description of new "bowel-sparing" techniques for long strictures of Crohn's disease.

In the period of January 1993 to December 1995 we operated on 55 patients with various complications of Crohn's disease. In properly selected cases, obstructive complications of Crohn's disease can be treated effectively by strictureplasty. Long strictures, even if a narrow lumen is still present, are commonly managed by resection, as classic strictureplasties cannot be done; also Finney strictureplasty seems inadequate, as it creates a blind loop that favors bacterial overgrowth and fecal stasis. Three original "sparing bowel" surgical approaches are proposed as possible alternative in the treatment of long stricture in Crohn's disease. We perform side-to-side ileoileal plasty whenever we are faced with severe narrowing of a long segment of small bowel (>10 cm); side-to-side ileocolic plasty whenever very severe disease with narrowing of ileocaecal valve is present; and ileocaecal plasty when terminal ileitis involves the very distal end of the small bowel, but sparing or only minimally affecting the ileocaecal valve. The above-mentioned procedures are described in detail and the clinical outcomes related to the first 8-patient series of our institution are presented.

Oxidative stress, vitamin A and vitamin E behaviour in patients submitted to conservative surgery for complicated Crohn's disease.

AIMS: To assess whether plasma peroxidation and plasma levels of antioxidant compounds are correlated with clinical and biochemical activity in complicated Crohn's disease patients, and to evaluate whether the relief of obstructive complication by conservative surgery has any effect on the oxidative stress. PATIENTS AND METHODS: From May 1998 to May 2000, 20 Crohn's disease patients were studied. Basal peroxidative state (basal thiobarbituric acid reactive substances), peroxidative state after stimulation with copper sulfate (stimulated thiobarbituric acid reactive substances], lag time of plasma peroxidation susceptibility, plasma levels of vitamin E and A, C reactive protein, erythrocyte sedimentation rate and Crohn's disease activity index, were determined, before surgery, then 2 months and 1 year after surgery. A group of 134 healthy volunteers were used as controls. All patients were treated by conservative surgical procedures (i.e., strictureplasty and/or minimal resections). Student t test for paired and unpaired data and Spearman R correlation coefficient were calculated. RESULTS: Peroxidative plasma levels, as well as inflammatory indices, are significantly reduced 2 months and 1 year after surgery (p < 0.005), but basal levels of peroxidation and antioxidant scavengers seem to be disregulated in Crohn's disease patients compared to those in controls (p < 0.005). A correlation was found between basal thiobarbituric acid reactive substances, lag-time and erythrocyte sedimentation rate (R:0.51; p < 0.05. R:0.56; p < 0.05) and C reactive protein (R:0. 6; p < 0.005. R:0. 65; p < 0.005). CONCLUSIONS: An imbalance between pro- and antioxidant mechanisms, due to chronic gut inflammation, is present in complicated Crohn's disease, and an excess of lipid peroxidation is probably an important pathogenetic factor Conservative surgery can reduce the oxidative stress avoiding repeated or extended resections that could lead to intestinal malabsorption and short bowel syndrome.

Surgical treatment of pancreatic tumors invading the spleno-mesenteric-portal vessels. An Italian Multicenter Survey.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: The authors are interested in determining the diagnostic and surgical approach followed in different Italian institutions in the treatment of adenocarcinoma of the head of the pancreas, whenever the spleno-mesenteric-portal confluence is invaded. METHODOLOGY: A 10-item questionnaire was sent to 21 Italian Centers of Surgical Oncology and a total of 1185 patients treated with pancreaticoduodenectomy were collected from 15 centers. Among them, 164 spleno-mesenteric-portal vein (SMPV) resections were performed. RESULTS: In all collaborative centers, the diagnostic work-up is comparable with what is reported in the literature. An accurate pre- and intra-operative staging and a differential diagnosis between inflammatory and neoplastic involvement of the vessel walls is universally considered essential for its surgical and oncological implications. If vessel involvement is ruled out, 7 centers proceed to pancreasectomy anyway. Direct end-to-end vein reconstruction is used as the primary procedure, but interposition of PTFE and autologous vein grafting may be used. An overall 4.8% post-operative complications only have been reported. Mean perioperative mortality reported is 3.8% (0-11.5%) and morbidity is 22.8% (4.7-57%). Survival rate is 10 months overall. The mean actuarial 5-year survival is 12%. CONCLUSIONS: The attitude of the collaborative centers in cases of SMPV involvement varies, with a slight majority favoring a conservative behavior. Surgical resection extended to the vessels is still uncommon, even in centers mostly experienced in surgery of the pancreas. We believe that vascular resections can be safely performed in both of the different conditions: localized tumors locally invading the vessels and neoplasms with massive invasion of the peripancreatic structures. We share with others the opinion that, in experienced centers, extensive resections should have a role for palliation of carcinoma of the pancreas whenever they offer a better quality of life, although life expectancy may not be positively influenced.

Third segment cholangio-jejunostomy in the treatment of unresectable klatskin tumors.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Cholangiocarcinoma of the hepatic hilum is a seldom curable lesion when detected and several methods of palliation have been suggested. Bismuth has proposed an intrahepatic cholangiojejunostomy on the third segment of the liver, which in his experience obtains effective biliary drainage with better quality of life compared with other forms of palliation. PATIENTS AND MATERIALS: We have used this technique in nine cases. We evaluate results, mortality and morbidity, in comparison with other authors' reported series. RESULTS: In the early postoperative period one patient died, two patients suffered from immediate postoperative complications, and jaundice resolved completely in six patients. Long term survival was influenced by the underlying disease. CONCLUSION: Our findings support Bismuth preference for this technique of surgical palliation for non resectable tumors of the biliary tract.

Hepatocarcinoma: considerations on surgical treatment in a personal series of 23 patients.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Surgical treatment of primary liver tumors has undergone significant changes in recent years because of improved surgical and anesthesiological techniques and better pre- and post-operative care. We review our personal series from 1987-1995. METHODOLOGY: Of 31 cases of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) observed in the years 1987-1995, 23 underwent curative resective surgery for a total of 24 liver resections: 6 hepatectomies; 10 segmentectomies; 4 atypical subsegmentectomies; 2 extended resections, with excision of neoplastic thrombi within the portal vein; 1 orthotopic liver transplantation in another institution, and 1 limited segmental resection for tumor recurrence. In 7 recent cases, pre-operative transcatheter arterial chemoembolization (TAE) was used. RESULTS: The mean survival of the 13 patients that are known to be deceased is 27 months (range: 7-114 months). Perioperative mortality was nil. Actuarial 5-year survival rate is 27%. Pre-operative TAE was used in 7 patients: 4 out of 7 lesions were significantly reduced at computed tomography (CT) scan control 21 days following TAE, while in 3 the tumor size was unchanged. CONCLUSIONS: Liver surgery, even major resections, has become safe with no perioperative mortality in our series. In our experience, pre-operative TAE has often produced significant reduction of the mass, but its real efficacy is still the subject of debate. TAE and percutaneous ethanol injection (PET) should be evaluated as part of combined multimodality treatment in the therapy of large lesions previously considered inoperable.

Improvement of colo-rectal cancer surgery following introduction of endoscopical approach.

In the period 1968-1993, we treated 399 patients for colo-rectal cancer. Up to 1980, preceding large scale use of endoscopy, 217 patients, out of the group of 399, were submitted to surgery; at time of diagnosis all patients had symptoms of advanced colonic tumor (intestinal obstruction; palpable mass; significant rectal bleeding); none of the lesions detected was in Dukes A or B1 groups; 56 patients were in Dukes B2 and stages C1 + C2 + D were detected in 161 cases. In period 1981-1993 we treated 182 patients; in all cases the diagnosis consisted of endoscopical examinations. Out of this group 69 patients underwent endoscopic resection of polyps with focal neoplastic degeneration: 44 did not require surgery according to Haggitt criteria. In the group of 138 patients who underwent surgery, 89 were in Dukes A + B1 + B2 groups and 49 were in Dukes C1 + C2 + D groups. In our experience endoscopy is not essential in the clear cut colonic neoplasms, however it is an invaluable screening test in early stages, in poor symptomatic population, in elderly patients (> 50 y.o.) and in patients with non specific symptoms. We wish to emphasize how endoscopy has improved the results of colonic cancer surgery.

[Strain gauges for measuring the tension at the site of sutures. Use of the original instrument with a personal technic]. / Strain gauges nella misurazione della tensione in sede di sutura. Impiego di strumentario originale con tecnica personale.

The Authors have developed an instrumentation suitable for suture line tension measuring during plastic operations for large incisional hernias. A full description is given of the measuring technique and of the original instrumentation, including two steel bars called "fachiri" and an electric measuring system with strain gauges. With the employment of this technique, relaxing incisions of the muscle aponeurosis can be reduced to the minimum. Being the suture line tension one of the most important causes of relapsing, the Authors believe that this technique provides a sure advantage for the long term results of plastic operations.

Monoconjugated bilirubin as a possible factor in cholesterol gallstone pathogenesis.

HPLC determination of bilirubin conjugates in bile demonstrated a subgroup of patients with cholesterol gallstones who have more monoconjugated than diconjugated bilirubin in their gallbladder bile. None of the patients had abnormal liver function tests nor hemolysis. It was shown that this is not due to differences in liver secretion of the conjugates. In these patients, the more insoluble monoconjugated bilirubin might have provided the nucleus for the subsequent crystallization of cholesterol leading to the formation of cholesterol gallstones.

[2 cases of choledochal calculosis associated with juxtapapillary diverticulum in patients with gastric resection: submesocolon approach]. / Su due casi di calcolosi coledocica associata a diverticolo juxtapapillare, in resecati gastrici: accesso sottomesocolico.

Although laparoscopy and endoscopy have reduced the need for laparotomies in biliary tract surgery, open surgery is sometimes still needed. One case in particular is when previous operations have significantly distorted normal upper abdomen anatomy. We chose an inframesocolic entrance to the posterior peritoneum in two patients with bile duct stones, juxtapapillary duodenal diverticulum and a history of cholecystectomy and partial gastric resectioning. The duodenum was reached at the junction between the second and third section by entering the posterior peritoneum through the inferior sheet of the mesocolon, a relatively avascular area. The diverticulum was incised, the sphincter and papilla operation was performed and the bile duct stones removed. The diverticulum was then resected. Our conclusion is that in certain cases, an inframesocolic entrance can significantly reduce technical difficulties involved in re-operating through dense adhesions, minimize surgical time and blood loss and, when operating through the open diverticulum, spare an unnecessary duodenotomy.

[Total versus partial pancreatectomy in the surgical treatment of carcinoma of the pancreatic head]. / Pancreasectomia totale vs pancrasectomia parziale nel trattamento chirurgico del carcinoma della testa del pancreas.

This is a review of the recent advances in total pancreatectomy versus regional pancreatectomy for adenocarcinoma of the head of the pancreas. The rationale for total pancreatectomy comes from a tendency for pancreatic cancer to be multicentric, the absence of the pancreatico-enterostomy and the argument that total pancreatectomy is a better cancer procedure (wider lymphadenectomy and soft tissue resection). In spite of these theoretical advantages, any important impact on morbidity, mortality and ultimately on survival has not been realised. We analyse the principal metabolic and functional sequelae of total pancreatectomy, particularly highlighting the importance of glucagone hormone in maintaining correct blood glucose levels. The data suggest, a tendency to use total pancreatectomy in selected patients on the basis of pre- and intraoperative cytodiagnosis to prevent occult neoplasms in the pancreatic remnant.

[Surgical treatment of ulcerative rectocolitis: technical aspects of total restorative proctocolitis with S pouch]. / Il trattamento chirurgico della rettocolite ulcerosa: aspetti tecnici della proctocolectomia totale restaurativa con pouch a S.

Restorative proctocolectomy with an ileal-pouch-anal anastomosis seems to be the treatment of choice for ulcerative colitis. The aim of this study was to discuss a number of technical and functional aspects of the procedure that still appear to be controversial such as the shape of the pouch, the mucosectomy and the type of anastomosis. The authors report on their experience with the surgical treatment of ulcerative colitis with an "S" pouch. The technique reported, however, differs from the original method proposed by Parks and Nicholls in 1978 and the reasons for this surgical choice are discussed. A six-year experience (1993-1999) regarding 35 patients undergoing this approach is reported. No perioperative deaths were observed. The early and long-term complication rates were 8.5% and 11.4%, respectively. The average number of daily evacuations was 4. Mucosectomy affords complete resolution of the disease, while the particular shape of the pouch guarantees good functional results.

[The conservative surgery of Crohn's disease: the long-term results]. / La chirurgia conservativa della malattia di Crohn: risultati a lungo termine.

INTRODUCTION: Patients with Crohn's disease (CD) receive one or more surgical interventions throughout their clinical history. Conservative surgery has recently been proposed as a safe and effective option for the treatment of complicated CD and for the prevention of short bowel syndrome and stoma. PATIENTS AND METHODS: One hundred nineteen patients affected by CD were treated with stricture plasty and mini-resection in our Department between January 1993 and January 1998. At admission, the prior complete clinical and surgical history of each patient was collected and then inserted in a prospectively maintained data base. Analysis of recurrence was made using the Kaplan-Meier function and the influence of certain variables on the risk of recurrence was analyzed using a Cox proportional hazard model. RESULTS: Perioperative mortality was nil, postoperative complications occurred in 8 patients (6.7%). Overall long term surgical recurrence at 5 years was 28%, 35% in patients operated on within one year and 15% in those treated after one year from the diagnosis (p < .05). CONCLUSIONS: Stricture plasty and minimal resections show lower perioperative mortality and postoperative complications similar to resective surgery. From risk factor analysis, a group of patients with high risk of surgical recurrence emerged. In this group and whenever technically possible, we consider stricture plasty and minimal resection the gold standard in the treatment of complicated CD.

[Surgical options in the treatment of perianal Crohn's disease]. / Opzioni chirurgiche nel trattamento della malattia di Crohn a localizzazione perianale.

INTRODUCTION: About 40% of patients with Crohns disease (CD) have a perianal involvement. Despite the recent introduction of anti-TNF antibody, this therapy has uncertain long-term results and surgery still remains a major treatment option. AIMS & METHODS: This study relates our experience in surgical management of perianal CD without anti-TNF treatment. From July 92 to February 02, 37 patients with perianal Crohns disease were treated, 43 underwent local operations or faecal diversion for fistulas and/or abscesses. Patients not requiring surgery or in therapy with anti-TNF. were excluded from the study. We analysed the outcome of surgical treatment for perianal CD. RESULTS: Male to female ratio was 1:0.6, median age was 36,9 years (range 17-62). Perianal disease included 32 fistulas (16 trans-sphincteric, 2 superficial, 2 ano-vaginal, 10 multiple and complex, 2 horseshoe) and 7 abscesses (5 perianal, 2 ischio-rectal). Local surgery included 1 abscess drainage, 5 abscess drainage and fistula incision with seton insertion, 2 fistulotomy, 9 partial fistulectomy and seton insertion. At surgery, 40% of patients were ongoing a medical treatment with 5-ASA and/or antibiotics, 40% with steroids and/or immunosoppressors, 15% only with 5-ASA and 5% no ongoing treatment. The horseshoe fistulas were managed with a fistulotomy and seton insertion. One patient with ano-vaginal fistula required proctectomy and the other one total proctocolectomy. Patients treated by diverting colonostomy (3) had fistula recurrence after its closure in 100%. 20% of patients required total proctocolectomy and ileostomy for extensive intestinal disease. Of the 27 patients undergoing seton insertion or fistulotomy none had faecal incontinence due to the operation and 38% had a 1 year recurrence. CONCLUSIONS: Perianal CD is a heterogeneous entity, therefore its management is still controversial. Moreover, a high percentage of patients (18% in our series) requires a major surgery due to the extension and seriousness of rectal involvement. In our survey only 12 patients (39%), with trans-sphincteric fistula, could have been theoretically treated with anti-TNF. We wonder if the cost-and-benefit of this medical treatment justifies its application on patients that could undergo a surgical treatment with good long-term results.

[Strictureplasty in the surgical treatment of complicated Crohn's disease]. / Le stricturoplastiche nel trattamento chirurgico della malattia di Crohn complicata.

INTRODUCTION: Crohns disease is a panintestinal chronic inflammatory condition. Its remitting-relapsing behaviour may require in the single patient repeated surgeries, with the aim of resolving the complications of the disease. The awereness that surgery cannot resolve the disease has led, in the last years, to the development of new "conservative surgical techniques", which preserve as much of the intestinal tissue as possible. These techniques are minimal resection and strictureplasty (SP). Aim of the study was to perform a prospective analysis of the long-term outcome of SP in a consecutive series of patients undergoing surgery for complicated Crohns Disease at the Division of general surgery, L. Sacco University Hospital, Milano, Italia. METHODS AND RESULTS: During the period of October 1992 to June 2002, 286 patients underwent surgical procedures for jejunoileal Crohns disease. 116 of them underwent SP resulting in a total of 217 procedures, of which: 111 Heineke-Mikulicz SP (51.2%), 36 ileoileal side-to-side SP (16.6%), 40 ileoceacal SP (18.4%) and the remaining 30 ileocolic SP (13.8%), as previously described by A.M. Taschieri. Fiftyone of the patients (23.5%) had concomitantly a minimal bowel resection. Postoperative mortality was nil, while in 3 cases (2.59%) repeated surgery was necessary due to postsurgical complications. Time-to-event estimates were performed using the Kaplan-Meier function. CONCLUSIONS: mortality, morbidity, and long-term results in this population of patients who underwent SP are encouraging and in line with reports in the international literature. It is suggested that SP together with minimal bowel resections, may be considered as first line surgical therapy in patients with Crohns Disease.

[Bowel ultrasound in Crohn's disease. Surgical importance]. / L'ecografia intestinale nel morbo di Crohn. Rilevanza chirurgica.

The use of ultrasound in Crohns disease has a recent history. This method is useful in various situations like: the diagnosis of the disease, the diagnosis of intra-abdominal complications and the follow-up of the operated patient. Moreover, thanks to its practicality of use, ripetibility and accuracy, ultrasounds can represent a first line diagnostic instrument for Crohns disease both in elective and emergency conditions. The authors, in this paper, consider its usefulness and various aspects in these conditions.

Surgical treatment of inflammatory bowel diseases in northwestern Italy: a multicentric study by the G.S.M.I.I. (Inflammatory Bowel Disease Study Group).

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Improved medical therapy and bowel sparing and sphincter saving techniques have changed surgery for UC and CD. Collaboration between gastroenterologists and surgeons is necessary to uniform the indications for surgical treatment reducing emergency operations. GISMII multicentric study aimed to show indications, timing and impact of surgery, through retrospective analysis of cases observed between 1992 to 1996. METHODS: Data were obtained by 16 departments of General Surgery. RESULTS: 102 UC and 376 CD patients were analyzed. In UC patients surgery was performed for failure of medical therapy in 54%, complications in 28.4%, cancer or dysplasia in 10% of cases, 83.3% elective procedures. 30.4% ileo-anal pouch, 30.4% total procto-colectomies with definitive ileostomies, 32.4% total colectomies with ileo-rectal anastomosis, 6.8% segmental resections, were performed. In CD patients surgery was performed in 21% for medical therapy failure, in 79% for complications. 53.4% of patients were submitted to 1 operation, 84% elective procedures. Reoperations were performed in 46.6% of patients, 70.3% elective procedures. In the first operation bowel resection was performed in 79.1%, stricturoplasty in 14.3%; in the subsequent operations bowel resection 62.8%, stricturoplasty 21.7%, increasing number of temporary or definitive ileo-stomies. CONCLUSIONS: Collaboration between gastroenterologists and surgeons is necessary to obtain optimal results, reducing the incidence of emergency surgery, and complications. The short period observed between diagnosis and operation (21.4 months) is due to the increasing tendency of gastroenterologists to anticipate a surgical procedure when young patients with a chronic disease need a prolonged medical therapy.