Repeat transanal advancement flap repair: impact on the overall healing rate of high transsphincteric fistulas and on fecal continence.

PURPOSE: Transanal advancement flap repair (TAFR) has been advocated as the treatment of choice for transsphincteric fistulas passing through the upper or middle third of the external anal sphincter. It is not clear whether previous attempts at repair adversely affect the outcome of TAFR. The purpose of the present study was to evaluate the success rate of a repeat TAFR and to assess the impact of such a second procedure on the overall healing rate of high transsphincteric fistulas and on fecal continence. METHODS: Between January 2001 and January 2005, a consecutive series of 87 patients (62 males; median age, 49 (range, 27-73) years) underwent TAFR. Median follow-up was 15 (range, 2-50) months. Patients in whom the initial operation failed were offered two further treatment options: a second flap repair or a long-term indwelling seton drainage. Twenty-six patients (male:female ratio, 5:2; median age, 51 (range, 31-72) years) preferred a repeat repair. Continence status was evaluated before and after the procedures by using the Rockwood Faecal Incontinence Severity Index (RFISI). RESULTS: The healing rate after the first TAFR was 67 percent. Of the 29 patients in whom the initial procedure failed, 26 underwent a repeat TAFR. The healing rate after this second procedure was 69 percent, resulting in an overall success rate of 90 percent. Both before and after the first attempt of TAFR, the median RFISI was 7 (range, 0-34). In patients who underwent a second TAFR, the median RFISI before and after this procedure was 9 (range, 0-34) and 8 (range, 0-34), respectively. None of these changes were statistically significant. CONCLUSIONS: Repeat TAFR increases the overall healing rate of high transsphincteric fistulas from 67 percent after one attempt to 90 percent after two attempts without a deteriorating effect on fecal continence.

Genomic analysis of a case of multifocal adenocarcinoma in ulcerative colitis.

Long-standing ulcerative colitis is associated with an elevated risk of developing colonic adenocarcinoma. A very limited group of patients present with multiple synchronous cancers. This could be due to either a multifocal presentation of the same neoplastic clone or different tumors arising in a large area of polyclonal dysplastic colonic mucosa ("field cancerization"). Here, we describe a patient with long-standing colitis and three different tumors in the rectosigmoid part of the large bowel. Clonal evaluation of the lesions was performed by array-based comparative genomic hybridization. These three neoplasms showed a comparable pattern of genomic alterations characterized by gains of chromosomes 12, 13, and 20. Noteworthy, dysplastic mucosa distal to the three cancers displayed a completely different pattern of genomic changes indicating that different cell lineages were present. In addition, all three carcinomas were microsatellite stable and revealed identical immunoprofiles for several cancer-associated genes. We conclude that these three multifocal tumors must have originated from the same preneoplastic lineage.

Chromosomal and microsatellite instability of adenocarcinomas and dysplastic lesions (DALM) in ulcerative colitis.

Longstanding ulcerative colitis (UC) is associated with a high risk of developing UC-related colonic adenocarcinoma (UCC). These carcinomas originate from nonadenomatous dysplastic regions referred to as dysplasia associated lesion or mass (DALM). We evaluated chromosomal and microsatellite instability (MSI) in 21 DALM/UCCs. Chromosomal instability was determined by high-resolution array comparative genomic hybridization with a 3500-element BAC-PAC array. MSI was assessed with markers BAT25 and BAT26 and by immunohistochemical analysis of mismatch repair genes. Comparative genomic hybridization revealed frequent losses of array clones (>20% of tumors) at chromosome arms 4p, 5q, and 18q, frequent gains of array clones (>20% of tumors) were found at 1q, 5p, 6p, 7p, 7q, 8p, 8q, 11p, 11q, 12q, 14q, 17q, 19q, 20p, and 20q. The pattern of alterations is dominated by gains on 5p and 20q with loss of 4p, all of which were already present in a patient with carcinoma in situ. Immunohistochemical analysis of mismatch repair genes MLH1, PMS2, MSH2, and MSH6 showed negative immunostaining in 1 neoplasm (5%). MSI of BAT25 and BAT26 was seen in 3 tumors (14%) including the neoplasm with aberrant immunostaining. In conclusion, we constructed a genomic profile of DALM/UCC including several novel genetic alterations. Further, we found a low percentage of MSI. Thus, DALM/UCCs display profound chromosomal instability, but this is not associated with concurrent MSI.

Hydrogen peroxide-enhanced three-dimensional endoanal ultrasonography and endoanal magnetic resonance imaging in evaluating perianal fistulas: agreement and patient preference.

OBJECTIVES: To determine agreement between hydrogen peroxide-enhanced three-dimensional endoanal ultrasonography (3D HPUS) and endoanal magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in preoperative assessment of perianal fistulas, and to assess patient preference with regard to these techniques. METHODS: Forty patients (31 males, aged 21-70 years) with symptoms of a perianal fistula and a visible external opening underwent preoperative 3D HPUS and endoanal MRI. The results were assessed separately by experienced observers. Fistulas were described according to the following characteristics: classification of the primary fistula tract according to Parks, location of the internal opening, presence of secondary tracts and fluid collections. Patients were asked to score the amount of discomfort experienced during both procedures and express their preference for either method. RESULTS: The median time interval between 3D HPUS and endoanal MRI was 14 days (range, 0-91 days). The methods agreed in 88% (35/40, kappa = 0.45) for the primary fistula tract, in 90% (36/40, kappa = 0.83) for the location of the internal opening, in 78% (31/40, kappa = 0.62) for secondary tracts, and in 88% (35/40, kappa = 0.63) for fluid collections. Both methods were associated with similar discomfort, and there was no patient preference for one procedure over the other. CONCLUSIONS: 3D HPUS and endoanal MRI are equally adequate for the evaluation of perianal fistulas. Both methods are associated with similar discomfort and patients have no preference for either procedure.

Inflammatory bowel disease and liver transplantation for primary sclerosing cholangitis.

OBJECTIVES: To compare the outcome of liver transplantation in primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC) patients with and without inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), and to analyse the influence of the transplantation on the course of IBD. METHODS: Retrospective analysis of the data regarding PSC, IBD, and liver transplantation in all patients transplanted for PSC. SETTING: Single university transplantation centre. RESULTS: Thirty-one patients were transplanted for PSC, of whom 18 had IBD before liver transplantation. There were no differences in complication rate and outcome between patients with and patients without IBD. Before liver transplantation, the IBD course was active in three patients and quiescent in 14 patients (one patient was not evaluable). After liver transplantation, the course was active in five (one de-novo IBD) patients and quiescent in 13 patients. Exacerbations of IBD occurred in ten patients during treatment with steroids and a calcineurin blocker. Five patients with long-standing and extensive colitis developed colorectal neoplasia after liver transplantation (two colorectal cancer, two extensive dysplasia, one leiomyosarcoma). CONCLUSIONS: Concomitant IBD had no detrimental influence on the outcome of liver transplantation in patients with PSC. The course of IBD was not altered after liver transplantation. Immunosuppression including steroids did not prevent exacerbations of IBD. The development of colorectal neoplasia is a serious threat to patients with IBD and PSC after liver transplantation.

Anovaginal and rectovaginal fistulas: endoluminal sonography versus endoluminal MR imaging.

OBJECTIVE: The exact location of anovaginal and rectovaginal fistulas cannot be determined by physical examination and conventional techniques. The objective of our study was to compare the accuracy of endoluminal sonography and endoluminal MR imaging in revealing the location of anovaginal and rectovaginal fistulas. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Nineteen consecutive patients (age range, 28-56 years; median age, 39 years) with clinical indications of an anovaginal or rectovaginal fistula were included in our retrospective study. Endoluminal sonography was performed using a 7.5-MHz transducer. Endoluminal MR imaging was performed at 0.5 T for 10 patients and 1.5 T for nine patients; axial T2-weighted gradient-echo, coronal and sagittal T2-weighted turbo spin-echo (0.5 T), or axial and radial T2-weighted turbo spin-echo and axial T2-weighted fat saturated turbo spin-echo (1.5 T) images were obtained. For a variety of reasons, surgery of the fistula was not attempted in six of these 19 patients. The imaging findings were compared with the findings obtained during surgery in the remaining 13 patients. RESULTS: In 12 of the 13 patients, the fistula was found during surgery: seven of the fistulas were anovaginal, and five were rectovaginal. Findings of endoluminal sonography were true-positive in 11 patients, true-negative in one, and false-negative in one. Findings of endoluminal MR imaging were true-positive in 11 patients, false-negative in one, and false-positive in one. Positive predictive value for endoluminal sonography and endoluminal MR imaging were 100% and 92%, respectively. Imaging findings for anal sphincter defects were comparable. CONCLUSION: Endoluminal sonography and endoluminal MR imaging have comparable positive predictive values in revealing the location of anovaginal and rectovaginal fistulas.