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.

Does Antrum Size Matter in Sleeve Gastrectomy? Volume II-A Retrospective Multicentric Study with Long-Term Follow-Up.

Background: Laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy (LSG) is the most widespread bariatric procedure due to its safety and efficacy. Despite continuous refinement, achieving a globally standardized procedure remains challenging. Moreover, due to its wide adoption, numerous studies have focused on complications associated with the technique, such as gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). This study evaluates the impact of antrum size (wide antrectomy versus small antrectomy) in LSG on long-term anthropometric outcomes and complications in patients with morbid obesity. Methods: Body mass index (BMI), percentage of excess weight loss (%EWL) at a 5-year follow-up, GERD Health-Related Quality-of-Life (GERD-HRQL) scores, and obesity-related diseases of patients undergoing LSG with gastric resections starting 2 cm and 6 cm from the pylorus were retrospectively evaluated. Results: Between January 2015 and November 2019, 597 patients who met the criteria for LSG were included in the study. Group A (241 patients) underwent wide antrectomy, while Group B (356 patients) underwent small antrectomy. Weight, BMI, %EWL, and %TWL significantly improved at 6 and 12 months in the wide-antrectomy group. However, these differences diminished by 24 months, with no significant long-term differences in weight loss outcomes between the two groups at 5 years. Conversely, GERD-HRQL scores were significantly better in the small-antrectomy group until 24 months; thereafter, results were comparable between groups over the long term. Conclusions: Therefore, while wide antrectomy may offer superior short-term anthropometric outcomes, both techniques yield similar long-term results regarding weight management and GERD incidence. Larger prospective studies are needed to further address this issue.

One Anastomosis Gastric Bypass vs. Sleeve Gastrectomy in the Remission of Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus: A Retrospective Analysis on 3 Years of Follow-Up.

Background. Obesity is a prevalent condition associated with various comorbidities, impacting mortality, fertility, and quality of life. Its relationship with type 2 diabetes mellitus (DMII) is well established, with nearly 44% prevalence. Bariatric surgery has proven crucial for treating both obesity and DMII. The comparison between surgical techniques, such as sleeve gastrectomy (SG) and one anastomosis gastric bypass (OAGB), remains controversial in terms of glycemic control efficacy. This retrospective study aimed to assess DMII remission efficacy between SG and OAGB after 36 months. Methods. From January 2016 to September 2020, 201 patients who underwent SG and OAGB for morbid obesity associated with DMII were accurately followed-up with for 36 months, focusing on %HbA1c, DMII remission, anthropometric results, and nutrient deficiency. Results. Although DMII remission did not exhibit statistical significance between the groups (82% vs. 93%, SG vs. OAGB, p = 0.051), OAGB demonstrated a more robust association with glycemic control (Odds Ratio 0.51) throughout the entire follow-up and yielded superior anthropometric outcomes. Notably, nutrient deficiencies, excluding cholecalciferol, iron, and riboflavin, did not show significant intergroup differences. Conclusions. This study contributes valuable insights into the extended-term efficacy of SG and OAGB in DMII remission. The nuanced findings underscore the multifaceted nature of metabolic outcomes, suggesting that factors beyond weight loss influence diabetes resolution. Larger comparative studies are warranted to comprehensively address this issue.

De Novo Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease Symptoms Are Infrequent after Sleeve Gastrectomy at 2-Year Follow-Up Using a Comprehensive Preoperative Esophageal Assessment.

Pathological obesity is a growing public health concern, and its association with gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) poses challenges in selecting the appropriate bariatric procedure. Sleeve gastrectomy (SG) has become a popular choice due to its simplicity and effectiveness in weight loss. However, concerns regarding postoperative GERD have been raised. This study aimed to evaluate the association between preoperative assessment of esophageal function and the risk of developing postoperative GERD in patients undergoing SG. A comprehensive evaluation was conducted, including symptom assessment, upper endoscopy, high-resolution esophageal manometry (HRM), and 24 h esophageal pH impedance monitoring (MII-pH). A total of 500 obese patients were included, and their data were compared with 25 healthy volunteers. This study revealed that patients without GERD symptoms, normal endoscopy, HRM, and MII-pH were suitable candidates for SG, with low risk of developing postoperative GERD. The addition of fundoplication techniques to SG may be considered in patients with mild reflux or those at risk of developing it. This study emphasizes the importance of preoperative evaluation in selecting the appropriate bariatric procedure to minimize the risk of postoperative GERD and expand the indications for SG in obese patients.

Post-Irradiation Breast Angiosarcoma: All the Possible Treatments and Electrochemotherapy. Case Report and Literature Review.

Breast angiosarcoma is a rare malignancy, accounting for less than 1% of all soft tissue cancers. It comprises primitive and secondary subtypes, such as radiogenic breast angiosarcoma (RAS). Despite multimodal treatment, angiosarcomas represent an incurable disease for many patients and a significant cause of deterioration in their quality of life. Surgery is a cornerstone in management, but high recurrence rates are reported. Electrochemotherapy (ECT) is a practicable locoregional treatment for patients with advanced angiosarcoma as part of a multimodal therapeutic strategy. The palliative benefits of ECT include optimal patient compliance, good local hemostasis control, and positive local responses. Since only 22 cases are described in the literature, we reported a rare case of RAS treated with ECT after a multidisciplinary approach, including Next Generation Sequencing (NGS). A literature review on the feasibility of ECT in RAS management was also performed.

Rare axillary cancer of unknown primary originating from the breast of a 64­year­old male patient: A case report and literature review.

Cancers of unknown primary (CUPs) are a heterogeneous group of tumors characterized by a difficult diagnosis. The primitive tumor remains unknown, whereas metastases are the most common manifestation. Occult male breast cancers are very rare types of CUPs. The present study describes the case of a 64-year-old man affected by a CUP of presumed mammary origin. The aim of the article and the present review was to focus on their management. To the best of our knowledge, only thirteen cases have been reported in the literature. Because no specific guidelines are available, various approaches have been applied, influencing the treatment and the prognosis of patients with CUP.

Eficácia da reabilitação perineal combinada com biofeedback e diatermia por radiofrequência (RDF) em síndromes de dor funcional anorretal associadas à contração paradoxal dos músculos elevadores do ânus. Um estudo prospectivo / Effectiveness of perineal pelvis rehabilitation combined with biofeedback and radiofrequency diathermy (rdf) in anorectal functional pain syndromes associated with paradoxical contraction of the levator ani muscles. a prospective study

ABSTRACT Background: Anorectal functional pain syndrome, also called chronic proctalgia, represents a neglected clinical entity and often confused with other syndromes such as vulvodynia or acute proctalgia. It is a very often disabling disease with a consequent significant negative impact on the patient's quality of life. Chronic proctalgia, in many patients, is secondary to the paradoxical contraction of the pelvic floor and associated with a dissynergy between the thorax-abdomen and the pelvic floor. To improve symptoms in functional anorectal pain syndromes, various rehabilitation techniques are used with the aim of promoting relaxation of the pelvic floor; however, to improve defecatory dynamics in patients with levator ani syndrome, only biofeedback has shown efficacy in a randomized study. The aim of this work is to evaluate whether a rehabilitation protocol with manometric biofeedback and radiofrequency diathermy (mt100 Fremslife emotion Tecar) reduces pain and paradoxical contraction of the levator ani and improves the quality of life in patients with anorectal pain syndromes. functional. Methods: This was a prospective study on 30 patients (20 women and 10 men) with anorectal functional pain syndrome and paradoxical contraction of the pelvic floor enrolled at the UOC of General, Minimally Invasive, Oncological and Obesity Surgery of the AOU "Luigi Vanvitelli" of Naples, Italy, from September 2021 to May 2022. All patients were evaluated with a coloproctological specialist visit followed by anorectal manometry and evaluation of altered clinical physiatric parameters (Brusciano Score). The protocol consisted of 10 rehabilitation sessions of the pelvic floor once a week and lasting approximately 45 minutes. During the sessions the patients were subjected to diathermy / radiofrequency treatment (10 minutes) with a static resistive electrode on the diaphragm, during which they were required to breathe diaphragmatically and to become aware of the perineal muscles, under the supervision of a physiotherapist; followed by application of diathermy with static capacitive (5 minutes) and resistive (10 minutes) electrode at the lumbar level. This was followed by the use of manometric biofeedback (15 minutes of tonic / phasic exercises) in order to instruct the patient on the reflex mechanism to obtain a voluntary relaxation of the external anal sphincter. The variables evaluated were Pain (VAS 0-10) and the questionnaire on the impact of colorectal and anal pathologies on the quality of life (CRAIQ-7) at the beginning, after 3 months and at the end of the treatment. Results: After 10 weeks, the rehabilitation treatment combined with diathermy and manometric biofeedback proved effective in the short term with a reduction in the scores of the Vas scale and CRAIQ-7 questionnaire and an increase in the percentage of release of the anal muscles on anorectal manometry. Conclusion: The use of radiofrequency diathermy with a system of static electrodes associated with biofeedback represents a valid rehabilitation option for those patients suffering from anorectal functional pain syndrome because it reduces pain and paradoxical contraction of the levator ani and improves quality of life of the patient.

RESUMO Contexto: A síndrome de dor funcional anorretal, também conhecida como proctalgia crônica, representa uma entidade clínica negligenciada e frequentemente confundida com outras síndromes, como vulvodinia ou proctalgia aguda. Trata-se de uma doença frequentemente incapacitante, com um consequente impacto negativo significativo na qualidade de vida do paciente. A proctalgia crônica, em muitos pacientes, é secundária à contração paradoxal do assoalho pélvico e está associada a uma dissinergia entre o tórax-abdômen e o assoalho pélvico. Para melhorar os sintomas em síndromes de dor anorretal funcional, são utilizadas diversas técnicas de reabilitação com o objetivo de promover o relaxamento do assoalho pélvico. No entanto, para melhorar a dinâmica de evacuação em pacientes com síndrome do elevador do ânus, apenas o biofeedback demonstrou eficácia em um estudo randomizado. Objetivo: O objetivo deste trabalho é avaliar se um protocolo de reabilitação com biofeedback manométrico e diatermia por radiofrequência (mt100 Fremslife emotion Tecar) reduz a dor e a contração paradoxal do elevador do ânus e melhora a qualidade de vida em pacientes com síndromes de dor anorretal funcional. Métodos: Realizado estudo prospectivo com 30 pacientes (20 mulheres e 10 homens) com síndrome de dor anorretal funcional e contração paradoxal do assoalho pélvico inscritos na UOC de Cirurgia Geral, Minimamente Invasiva, Oncológica e de Obesidade da AOU "Luigi Vanvitelli" de Nápoles, Itália, de setembro de 2021 a maio de 2022. Todos os pacientes foram avaliados com uma consulta especializada em coloproctologia, seguida de manometria anorretal e avaliação dos parâmetros fisiátricos clínicos alterados (Escore de Brusciano). O protocolo consistiu em 10 sessões de reabilitação do assoalho pélvico, uma vez por semana, com duração aproximada de 45 minutos. Durante as sessões, os pacientes foram submetidos a tratamento de diatermia / radiofrequência (10 minutos) com um eletrodo resistivo estático no diafragma, durante o qual foram solicitados a respirar através do diafragma e a tomar consciência dos músculos perineais, sob a supervisão de um fisioterapeuta; seguido pela aplicação de diatermia com eletrodo capacitivo estático (5 minutos) e resistivo (10 minutos) no nível lombar. Isso foi seguido pelo uso de biofeedback manométrico (15 minutos de exercícios tônicos /fásicos) com o objetivo de instruir o paciente sobre o mecanismo reflexo para obter um relaxamento voluntário do esfíncter anal externo. As variáveis avaliadas foram Dor (EVA 0-10) e o questionário sobre o impacto das patologias colorretais e anais na qualidade de vida (CRAIQ-7) no início, após 3 meses e no final do tratamento. Resultados: Após 10 semanas, o tratamento de reabilitação combinado com diatermia e biofeedback manométrico mostrou-se eficaz a curto prazo, com uma redução nos escores da escala VAS e do questionário CRAIQ-7, e um aumento na porcentagem de relaxamento dos músculos anais na manometria anorretal. Conclusão: O uso de diatermia por radiofrequência com um sistema de eletrodos estáticos associado ao biofeedback representa uma opção de reabilitação válida para pacientes que sofrem com a síndrome de dor anorretal funcional, pois reduz a dor e a contração paradoxal do elevador do ânus, melhorando a qualidade de vida do paciente.

Constipação com obstrução à saída e incontinência fecal: o tratamento de reabilitação é o caminho? Mito ou realidade / Outlet obstructed constipation and fecal incontinence: is rehabilitation treatment the way? myth or reality

ABSTRACT Pelvic floor rehabilitation aims to address perineal functional and anatomic alterations as well as thoraco-abdominal mechanic dysfunctions leading to procto-urologic diseases like constipation, fecal and urinary incontinence, and pelvic pain. They require a multidimensional approach, with a significant impact on patients quality of life. An exhaustive clinical and instrumental protocol to assess defecation disorders should include clinical and instrumental evaluation as well as several clinical/physiatric parameters. All these parameters must be considered in order to recognize and define any potential factor playing a role in the functional aspects of incontinence, constipation and pelvic pain. After such evaluation, having precisely identified any thoraco-abdomino-perineal anatomic and functional alterations, a pelvi-perineal rehabilitation program can be carried out to correct the abovementioned alterations and to obtain clinical improvement. The success of the rehabilitative process is linked to several factors such as a careful evaluation of the patient, aimed to select the most appropriate and specific targeted rehabilitative therapy, the therapist's scrupulous hard work, especially as regards the patient's emotional and psychic state, and finally the patient's compliance in undertaking the therapy itself, especially at home. These factors may deeply influence the overall outcomes of the rehabilitative therapies, ranging from "real" success to illusion "myth".

RESUMO A reabilitação do assoalho pélvico visa abordar alterações funcionais e anatômicas perineais, bem como disfunções mecânicas torácicas-abdominais que levam a doenças procto-urológicas como prisão de ventre, incontinência fecal e urinária e dor pélvica. Requerem uma abordagem multidimensional, com impacto significativo na qualidade de vida dos pacientes. Um protocolo clínico e instrumental exaustivo para avaliar os transtornos de defecação deve incluir avaliação clínica e instrumental, bem como diversos parâmetros clínicos/fisiátricos. Todos esses parâmetros devem ser considerados para reconhecer e definir qualquer fator potencial desempenhando um papel nos aspectos funcionais da incontinência, prisão de ventre e dor pélvica. Após tal avaliação, tendo identificado com precisão quaisquer alterações anatômicas e funcionais tóraco-abdomino-perineais, um programa de reabilitação pelvi-perineal pode ser realizado para corrigir as alterações acima mencionadas e obter melhora clínica. O sucesso do processo de reabilitação está ligado a diversos fatores, como uma avaliação cuidadosa do paciente, visando selecionar a terapia de reabilitação direcionada mais adequada e específica, além do trabalho árduo e escrupuloso do terapeuta, especialmente no que diz respeito ao estado emocional e psíquico do paciente e, finalmente, a conformidade do paciente em realizar a terapia em si, especialmente em casa. Esses fatores podem influenciar profundamente os resultados globais das terapias de reabilitação, que vão desde o sucesso "real" até o "mito" ilusório.