Short-, long-, and very long-term results of secondary anterior sphincteroplasty in 20 patients with obstetric injury.

PURPOSE: More long-term follow-up studies beyond 10 years after secondary sphincteroplasty for obstetric damage are warranted. This prospective study aimed to compare reported data on incontinence and satisfaction in a cohort of such patients examined at short-, long-, and very long-term follow-up. METHODS: Twenty out of 33 obstetric patients (61%) operated with secondary anterior overlapping sphincteroplasty during February 1996 to April 2004 were evaluated preoperatively and at short-, long-, and very long-term follow-up. Anal incontinence was scored by a combination of Wexner's and St. Mark's incontinence scores. The patients also reported degree of treatment satisfaction. RESULTS: Twenty patients were examined preoperatively and after a median (range) of 5 (2-62), 102 (64-162), and 220 (183-278) months. Corresponding incontinence scores were 11.5 (5-18), 5.5 (1-17) (p < 0.01), 10.0 (0-18) (p > 0.05), and 12.0. (1-18) (p > 0.05). With increasing follow-up times, patients reporting a better outcome were 75%, 65%, and 45%. At very long-term follow-up patients, reports were more dismal than expected in those also reporting improved incontinence cores. Incontinence scores did not improve in patients with neuropathy (n = 5) or patients (n = 5) with more than 10 years of symptoms. CONCLUSION: Initial improvement of anal incontinence attenuated with time, in particular from short- to long-term follow-up. Patients with neuropathy experienced no improvement of incontinence. Beyond stoma formation, in compliant patients, one should consider other treatment options like sacral nerve stimulation and neosphincter formation.

Short- and long-term results of secondary anterior sphincteroplasty in 33 patients with obstetric injury.

OBJECTIVE: To study short- and long-term improvement in obstetric anal incontinence after secondary overlapping sphincteroplasty and repeat repairs. DESIGN: A prospective analysis based on incontinence scores and patient satisfaction. SETTING: Department of Gastroenterological Surgery, Oslo University Hospital, a tertiary unit also dealing with sphincter repair. POPULATION: Of 40 obstetric patients operated consecutively from February 1996 to April 2004, 33 (83%) patients with median age of 36 years were eligible for evaluation. METHODS: Wexner's and St. Mark's incontinence score, clinical examination, anal ultrasonography and manometry, and neurophysiological examination when indicated. Patient satisfaction to treatment was recorded. The patients had anterior overlapping sphincteroplasty. Five had repeat operations, four sphincteroplasty and two post-anal repair. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Anal incontinence, patient satisfaction. RESULTS: The 33 patients were examined after median 7 (range 2-62) months and 103 (62-162) months. Median incontinence scores preoperatively and after short- and long-term follow-up were 12 (5-20), 7 (5-20) (p < 0.01) and 9 (0-18) (p < 0.05), respectively. Three patients (9%) had normalized anal incontinence (score ≤1) after short- and long-term follow-up. Corresponding numbers for improved anal incontinence were 22 (67%) and 16 (49%), respectively. Improvement in incontinence scores and patients' satisfaction were concordant. Symptom duration (n = 7), pudendal neuropathy (n = 6), repeat repair (n = 5) and instrument delivery (n = 3) were associated with adverse outcome. CONCLUSIONS: Improvement in anal incontinence at short-term follow-up is attenuated at long-term follow-up. Stoma formation, sacral nerve stimulation and neo-sphincter formation must be considered in compliant patients.

Sexual function in females after radiotherapy for rectal cancer.

BACKGROUND: Knowledge about female sexual problems after pre- or postoperative (chemo-)radiotherapy and radical resection of rectal cancer is limited. The aim of this study was to compare self-rated sexual functioning in women treated with or without radiotherapy (RT+ vs. RT-), at least two years after surgery for rectal cancer. METHODS AND MATERIALS: Female patients diagnosed from 1993 to 2003 were identified from a national database, the Norwegian Rectal Cancer Registry. Eligible patients were without recurrence or metastases at the time of the study. The Sexual function and Vaginal Changes Questionnaire (SVQ) was used to measure sexual functioning. RESULTS: Questionnaires were returned from 172 of 332 invited and eligible women (52%). The mean age was 65 years (range 42-79) and the time since surgery for rectal cancer was 4.5 years (range 2.6-12.4). Sexual interest was not significantly impaired in RT+ (n=62) compared to RT- (n=110) women. RT+ women reported more vaginal problems in terms of vaginal dryness (50% vs. 24%), dyspareunia (35% vs. 11%) and reduced vaginal dimension (35% vs. 6%) compared with RT- patients; however, they did not have significantly more worries about their sex life. CONCLUSION: An increased risk of dyspareunia and vaginal dryness was observed in women following surgery combined with (chemo-)radiotherapy compared with women treated with surgery alone. Further research is required to determine the effect of adjuvant therapy on female sexual function.

Sexual function in males after radiotherapy for rectal cancer.

PURPOSE: Knowledge of sexual problems after pre- or postoperative radiotherapy (RT) with 50 Gy for rectal cancer is limited. In this study, we aimed to compare self-rated sexual functioning in irradiated (RT+) and nonirradiated (RT-) male patients at least 2 years after surgery for rectal cancer. METHODS AND MATERIALS: Patients diagnosed with rectal cancer from 1993 to 2003 were identified from the Norwegian Rectal Cancer Registry. Male patients without recurrence at the time of the study. The International Index of Erectile Function, a self-rated instrument, was used to assess sexual functioning, and serum levels of serum testosterone were measured. RESULTS: Questionnaires were returned from 241 patients a median of 4.5 years after surgery. The median age was 67 years at survey. RT+ patients (n = 108) had significantly poorer scores for erectile function, orgasmic function, intercourse satisfaction, and overall satisfaction with sex life compared with RT- patients (n = 133). In multiple age-adjusted analysis, the odds ratio for moderate-severe erectile dysfunction in RT+ patients was 7.3 compared with RT- patients (p <0.001). Furthermore, erectile dysfunction of this degree was associated with low serum testosterone (p = 0.01). CONCLUSION: RT for rectal cancer is associated with significant long-term effects on sexual function in males.

Late side effects and quality of life after radiotherapy for rectal cancer.

PURPOSE: There is little knowledge on long-term morbidity after radiotherapy (50 Gy) and total mesorectal excision for rectal cancer. Therefore, late effects on bowel, anorectal, and urinary function, and health-related quality of life (QoL), were studied in a national cohort (n = 535). METHODS AND MATERIALS: All Norwegian patients who received pre- or postoperative (chemo-)radiotherapy for rectal cancer from 1993 to 2003 were identified. Patients treated with surgery alone served as controls. Patients were without recurrence or metastases. Bowel and urinary function was scored with the LENT SOMA scale and the St. Marks Score for fecal incontinence and QoL with the European Organisation for Research and Treatment of Cancer (EORTC) Quality of Life Questionnaire (QLQ-C30). RESULTS: Median time since surgery was 4.8 years. Radiation-treated (RT+) patients (n = 199) had increased bowel frequency compared with non-radiation-treated (RT-) patients (n = 336); 19% vs. 6% had more than eight daily bowel movements (p < 0.001). In patients without stoma, a higher proportion of RT+ (n = 69) compared with RT- patients (n = 240), were incontinent for liquid stools (49% vs. 15%, p < 0.001), needed a sanitary pad (52% vs. 13%, p < 0.001), and lacked the ability to defer defecation (44% vs. 16%, p < 0.001). Daily urinary incontinence occurred more frequently after radiotherapy (9% vs. 2%, p = 0.001). Radiation-treated patients had worse social function than RT- patients, and patients with fecal or urinary incontinence had impaired scores for global quality of life and social function (p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Radiotherapy for rectal cancer is associated with considerable long-term effects on anorectal function, especially in terms of bowel frequency and fecal incontinence. RT+ patients have worse social function, and fecal incontinence has a negative impact on QoL.

Final results of a randomised phase III study on adjuvant chemotherapy with 5 FU and levamisol in colon and rectum cancer stage II and III by the Norwegian Gastrointestinal Cancer Group.

BACKGROUND: The recommendation of adjuvant chemotherapy for colon cancer with lymph node metastases, based on two studies from USA, was reluctantly accepted by Norwegian medical doctors. It was therefore decided to assess the role of adjuvant therapy with 5fluorouracil (5-FU) combined with levamisole (Lev) in a confirmatory randomised study. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Four hundred and twenty five patients with operable colon and rectum cancer, Stage II and III (Dukes' stage B and C), were from January 1993 to October 1996, included in a randomised multicentre trial in Norway. The age limits were 18-75 years. Therapy started with a loading course of bolus i.v. 5-FU (450 mg/m(2)) daily for 5 days and p.o. doses of Lev (50 mg x 3) for 3 days. From day 28 a weekly i.v. 5-FU dose (450 mg/m(2)) were administered for 48 weeks. From day 28 also p.o. doses of Lev (50 mg x 3) for 3 days were given every 14 days. In total 214 patients were randomised to 5FU/Lev and 211 were included in the control group with surgery alone. Some did not comply with the inclusion and exclusion criteria, thus leaving 206 evaluable patients in each group. RESULTS: There was no significant survival difference between the two groups at 5 years: Disease-free survival (DFS) was 73% after chemotherapy, 68% (p=0.24) in the control group, and corresponding cancer specific survival (CSS) 75% and 71%, respectively (p=0.69). There was no difference between the two groups when analysed for colon and rectum separately. However, the subgroup of colon cancer with stage III exhibited a statistically significant difference both for DFS, 58% vs. 37% (p=0.012) and CSS, 65% vs. 47% (p=0.032) in favour of adjuvant chemotherapy. The benefit was further statistically significant for women but not for men. Toxicity was generally mild and acceptable with no drug related fatalities. CONCLUSIONS: Colon cancer patients with lymph node metastases benefit from adjuvant chemotherapy with 5-FU/Lev with acceptable toxicity. In a subgroup analysis females did better than males. Rectal cancer does not benefit from this regimen.

Radiotherapy for rectal cancer is associated with reduced serum testosterone and increased FSH and LH.

PURPOSE: It is known that scattered radiation to the testes during pelvic radiotherapy can affect fertility, but there is little knowledge on its effects on male sex hormones. The aim of this study was to determine whether radiotherapy for rectal cancer affects testosterone production. METHODS AND MATERIALS: All male patients who had received adjuvant radiotherapy for rectal cancer from 1993 to 2003 were identified from the Norwegian Rectal Cancer Registry. Patients treated with surgery alone were randomly selected from the same registry as control subjects. Serum levels of follicle stimulating hormone (FSH), luteinizing hormone (LH), testosterone, and sex hormone binding globulin (SHBG) were analyzed, and free testosterone was calculated (N = 290). Information about the radiotherapy treatment was collected from the patient hospital charts. RESULTS: Serum FSH was 3 times higher in the radiotherapy group than in the control group (median, 18.8 vs. 6.3 IU/L, p <0.001), and serum LH was 1.7 times higher (median, 7.5 vs. 4.5 IU/l, p <0.001). In the radiotherapy group, 27% of patients had testosterone levels below the reference range (8-35 nmol/L), compared with 10% of the nonirradiated patients (p <0.001). Irradiated patients had lower serum testosterone (mean, 11.1 vs. 13.4 nmol/L, p <0.001) and lower calculated free testosterone (mean, 214 vs. 235 pmol/L, p <0.05) than control subjects. Total testosterone, calculated free testosterone, and gonadotropins were related to the distance from the bony pelvic structures to the caudal field edge. CONCLUSIONS: Increased serum levels of gonadotropins and subnormal serum levels of testosterone indicate that curative radiotherapy for rectal cancer can result in permanent testicular dysfunction.

Biofeedback vs. electrostimulation in the treatment of postdelivery anal incontinence: a randomized, clinical trial.

PURPOSE: This study was designed to evaluate the effect of biofeedback and electrostimulation in a randomized, clinical trial for the treatment of patients with postdelivery anal incontinence. METHODS: Forty-nine females who sustained third-degree or fourth-degree perineal rupture with a mean age of 36 (range, 22-44) years were included in the study. The females were randomized to biofeedback or electrostimulation treatment. Forty females completed the study: 19 in the biofeedback and 21 in the electrostimulation group. Biofeedback or electrostimulation sessions were performed two times daily for eight weeks in each group. Wexner incontinence score, fecal incontinence quality of life scores, and reduced quality of life on visual analog scale were registered before and after treatment. Patients' self-rating of treatment effect also was registered in both groups. The primary outcome measure was the Wexner incontinence score. RESULTS: There were no differences in treatment effect between groups. Comparing pretreatment status to posttreatment in each group showed no improvement in Wexner score, reduced quality of life, or any of the fecal incontinence quality of life scores. Patients' self-rating of the treatment effect, however, showed a subjective improvement of symptoms both in the biofeedback and in the electrostimulation group (median, 7 vs. 5.) CONCLUSIONS: This study shows that there was no difference in effect between biofeedback and electrostimulation. Neither biofeedback nor electrostimulation treatments improved Wexner incontinence score, reduced quality of life, or fecal incontinence quality of life scores. Both treatments resulted in improvement of patients' subjective perception of incontinence control.

Long-term outcome after intestinal resection for Crohn's disease.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the need for intestinal repeat resection for recurrence of Crohn's disease in patients observed for more than 20 years after the first resection. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Data were gathered retrospectively from the medical records of 53 (28 F) consecutive patients with Crohn's disease from May 1954 to December 2002. Median age at first intestinal resection was 24.5 (range 13-65) years, and median observation time thereafter was 26.5 (20.1-48.6) years. Disease location and behaviour were defined according to the Vienna classification. RESULTS: The 53 patients had an average 2.7 and a median 2 intestinal resections. Out of 144 intestinal resections (77.1%) 111 were performed during the first three operations; no alterations in distribution of ileal, ileocolic and colic resections were found. From the first to the third operation there was an increase in penetrating disease from 15% to 39% (p=0.046) concomitant with a decrease in stricturing disease from 72% to 44% (p=0.048) of the patients. There was also a corresponding decrease in ileocolic disease from 45% to 5% (p=0.003) and a tendency towards an increase in ileal disease from 38% to 67%. One patient died (1.8%) from rectosigmoid perforation after the third resectional operation. Six patients needed reoperation (11.3%) for ileus, anastomotic bleeding, rectosigmoidal perforation and abdominal pain. Thirty-four patients (64.2%) needed intestinal repeat resection (median 8.3 years) during 25.3 years after the first repeat resection. CONCLUSIONS: This study indicates a diminution of Crohn's disease activity with time, as demonstrated by no need for intestinal repeat resection more than 25 years after the first resection.

[Surgery and stenting for oesophageal cancer]. / Kirurgi og stenting for cancer oesophagi.

BACKGROUND: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the results of surgery and stenting for operable and inoperable oesophageal cancer. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Retrospective patient materials with resection (n = 65, 1983-2002) or stenting (n = 59, 1994-2003) for primary oesophageal cancer. RESULTS: Mortality after surgery was 11% and 15% of the patients were re-operated. 36 (55%) had complications such as respiratory failure (n = 33), anastomotic dehiscence/perforation (n = 4), chylothorax (n = 1), haemorrhage (n = 3), wound rupture (n = 1), septicaemia (n = 2), arrhythmia (n = 4) and wound infection (n = 5). Median survival after surgery was 11 months. Survival after three years was 17%, after five years 8%. The stent procedure was without mortality but haemorrhage (n = 1) and stent dislocation (n = 2) occurred. 8 patients (14%) were re-stented for tumour stenosis (n = 6), fistula (n = 2) and dislocation (n = 1). Median survival after stenting was 78 days. Survival after 30 days was 80%, after one year 7%. INTERPRETATION: Resectable oesophageal cancer should be operated in fit patients, as survival is improved and some patients can be cured. Stenting is the main option in inoperable patients.

[Internal rectal invagination treated with rectopexy and sigmoid resection]. / Intern invaginasjon i rectum behandlet med rektopeksi og sigmoideumreseksjon.

BACKGROUND: Internal rectal intussusception, usually occurring in women, causes constipation and incomplete evacuation of stool. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Twenty-one women and one man (median age 48) were operated with suture rectopexy and sigmoid resection. The patients were examined with anoscopy and defecography, and symptomatic outcome, patients' satisfaction and morbidity were evaluated. Outcome was based mainly on the validated KESS score for constipation. RESULTS: There was a significant reduction in all ten symptoms. Faecal incontinence improved in the two afflicted patients after operation. The number of patients with constipation was reduced from 20 to 8 (p < 0.01); none became constipated. Mean (95 % CI) colonic transit times in ten constipated patients was reduced from 5.3 (4.1-6.4) to 4.0 (2.6-5.4) days (p = 0.08); seven of these patients had a reduction of transit time as well as constipation score. INTERPRETATION: Rectopexy with sigmoid resection improved symptoms, including constipation and feeling of incomplete rectal emptying.

[Secondary anterior sphincteroplasty for anal incontinence after delivery]. / Sekundaer sfinkterplastikk ved anal inkontinens etter fødsel.

BACKGROUND: The prevalence of anal sphincter rupture at vaginal delivery is from 0.5 to 2.5 %. More than 50 % of these patients may need a secondary anterior sphincteroplasty because of anal incontinence. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We present prospective series of 29 women (median age 45 years) operated with an overlapping anterior sphincteroplasty from 1996 to 2001. The patients were examined with anal ultrasonography (n = 23), manometry (n = 19) and neurophysiologically (n = 13), and divided into group 1 (n = 19) with anal sphincter rupture and group 2 (n = 10) with sphincter rupture as well as pudendal neuropathy. All patients (n = 29) were examined with the Cleveland Clinic incontinence score before and median eight (2-64) months after operation. RESULTS: Median incontinence score before and after operation was 11.0 (0-22) versus 5.0 (0-16) (p = 0.002) for group 1; 18.0 (15-24) versus 15.5 (11-24) (p = 0.034) for group 2. There was also a significant difference between the groups concerning incontinence scores both preoperatively (p = 0.045) and postoperatively (p = 0.028). An improvement of continence was seen in 15 (79 %) of the patients in group 1 compared to 4 patients (40 %) in group 2. In group 1 a significant increase of median resting and squeeze pressures was seen. INTERPRETATION: Anterior sphincteroplasty improves anal continence considerably in patients with isolated sphincter rupture. However, patients with evidence of pudendal neuropathy must be informed that they should expect only a minor improvement in continence after operation.

Early evaluation of bowel symptoms after primary repair of obstetric perineal rupture is misleading: an observational cohort study.

PURPOSE: This study was conducted to investigate the long-term development of anal and urinary incontinence and to investigate the clinical value of electromyography and pudendal nerve terminal motor latency after obstetric anal sphincter rupture. METHODS: One hundred females with obstetric anal sphincter rupture were evaluated by an anal incontinence questionnaire at 5 and 18 months postpartum and by a urine incontinence questionnaire at 18 months postpartum. Pudendal nerve terminal motor latency and electromyography examinations were performed on 68 and 67 females, respectively, at 10 months postpartum. RESULTS: Fecal incontinence increased from 7 to 17 percent between 5 and 18 months (P = 0.04). At 18 months, the incidence of anal incontinence in females working outside the home (42/70 (60 percent)) was greater than that for females still at home with their child (12/30 (40 percent); P = 0.05). Anal incontinence at 18 months was significantly higher (P = 0.01) in subjects with pathologic electromyographic findings (76 percent) than in those with normal electromyography (45 percent; observed differences, 31 percent (95 percent confidence interval, 9 to 54 percent)). Thirty percent of the subjects had urinary stress incontinence. The risk of fecal urgency was greater in females with urinary urgency (difference, 44 percent; 95 percent confidence interval, 18 to 69 percent) and urinary stress incontinence (difference, 24 percent; 95 percent confidence interval, 3 to 44 percent) than in those without. CONCLUSION: Fecal incontinence symptoms worsen with increased follow-up time, and the change in working status is the most likely explanation; therefore, early evaluation of bowel symptoms is misleading. Denervation injury of the anal sphincter is an independent risk factor for anal incontinence but has no association with urinary incontinence. Urinary urgency and stress incontinence symptoms are strongly associated with fecal urgency.

Resection rectopexy for internal rectal intussusception reduces constipation and incomplete evacuation of stool.

OBJECTIVE: To study the effect of rectopexy and sigmoid resection (resection rectopexy) on symptoms in patients with internal rectal intussusception. DESIGN: Retrospective and prospective study. SETTING: University hospital, Norway. PATIENTS: 22 patients with internal rectal intussusception. INTERVENTIONS: Resection rectopexy by an open (n = 13) or laparoscopically-assisted (n = 9) technique. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Symptomatic outcome, patients' satisfaction, and morbidity. Outcome was based mainly on the validated KESS score, which covers 10 symptoms included in the definiton of constipation. RESULTS: There was a significant reduction in all 10 symptoms. Two patients complained of incontinence which improved after operation. The number of patients with constipation was reduced from 20 to 8 (p = 0.000) and none became constipated. Mean (95% CI) colonic transit times before and after operation in 10 patients with constipation were 5.3 (4.1 to 6.4) and 4.0 (2.6 to 5.4) days (p = 0.083). Seven of these 10 patients had a reduction of both transit time and constipation score. Six patients had complications after open operations. These included one damaged ureter, reoperations for bleeding, incomplete intestinal obstruction, and 2 wound infections. CONCLUSION: Rectopexy with sigmoid resection resulted in improvement in symptoms, including constipation and feeling of incomplete rectal evacuation, and acceptable morbidity.

[Surgical treatment of anal fissure]. / Kirurgisk behandling av analfissur.

BACKGROUND: Anal fissure is very painful; surgery is warranted when medical treatment fails. MATERIAL AND METHOD: We present a retrospective study of 34 patients (median age 42; 19-63) treated by subcutaneous lateral internal sphincterotomy (n = 27) and anal dilatation (n = 7) from 1992 to 2002, carried out by a questionnaire on pain, anal incontinence, and treatment result. RESULTS: There were no complications or treatment for recurrence of anal fissure. Median pain score before surgery was 7.3 on a scale from 0 (no pain) to 10 (worst imaginable pain), median 73 months (4-124) after surgery the median score was 0 (0-5) (p = 0.00). For sphincterotomy (n = 27), the median score was 7.8 before surgery and 0 (0-5) after (p = 0.00), for anal dilatation 6 (3-10) before surgery and 2 (0-2) (p = 0.01) after. All patients had reduced pain scores after surgery but their incontinence scores remained unchanged. Two patients (7%) who had previously been dilated or irradiated developed faecal incontinence after sphincterotomy. More patients became asymptomatic after sphincterotomy (n = 18; 67%) than after anal dilatation (n = 4; 57%). INTERPRETATION: Compared to anal dilatation, sphincterotomy offers better pain relief for anal fissure. Doing a shorter sphincterotomy corresponding to length of the fissure reduces the risk of anal incontinence.

Is there any correlation between objective anal testing, rupture grade, and bowel symptoms after primary repair of obstetric anal sphincter rupture?: an observational cohort study.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationships between the grade of anal sphincter rupture, anal sphincter defect, manometry variables, and anal incontinence. METHODS: A total of 132 females with first-time obstetric sphincter rupture were evaluated by transanal ultrasound, manometry, and scoring of bowel symptoms five months after delivery. RESULTS: Anal sphincter rupture and transanal ultrasound grade correlated with each other ( rs= 0.427, P= 0.001). Both rupture and transanal ultrasound grade correlated with soiling grade ( rs= 0.2, P= 0.03 for both), but in a multiple regression analysis, only transanal ultrasound grade was significant ( P= 0.001) as an independent variable. Anal incontinence score correlated with all the manometry variables, but in a multiple regression analysis, only squeeze pressure was significant ( P= 0.001, beta = -0.4) as an independent variable. Both anal sphincter rupture and transanal ultrasound grade were correlated with manometry variables, but only transanal ultrasound grade was significant as an independent variable after multiple regression analysis. The frequency of transanal ultrasound-verified extensive defect of anal sphincter was higher in rupture Grade 3B (25; 95 percent confidence interval, 12-38 percent) and Grade 4 (45; 95 percent confidence interval, 24-66 percent) than in Grade 3A (2.8; 95 percent confidence interval, -1 to -6.6 percent).(s) (s)CONCLUSION Manometry variables are significantly lower in incontinent females than in continent females, and the Wexner incontinence score was correlated with manometry variables. Both anal sphincter rupture and transanal ultrasound grade correlated with soiling grade and with manometry variables, but in both cases only the transanal ultrasound grade was a significant independent variable.

Do occult anal sphincter injuries, vector volume manometry and delivery variables have any predictive value for bowel symptoms after first time vaginal delivery without third and fourth degree rupture? A prospective study.

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to determine whether there exists a correlation between anal incontinence, occult sphincter injuries, anal manometry values, and delivery variables in primiparous women after first time vaginal delivery. METHODS: Eighty-six primigravida women were recruited for this study. Transanal ultrasonography (TAUS) and vector volume manometry (VVM) was performed and bowel symptoms were recorded at 25 weeks of pregnancy and 5 months after labor. Incontinent women at 5 months after vaginal delivery were interviewed again at 12 months. RESULTS: Nineteen women (25%) experienced flatus incontinence postpartum. After 12 months, only one-third of the women were still incontinent. Fourteen women (19%) showed abnormal TAUS of the anal sphincter. Of the delivery variables, only baby head circumference was significantly associated with flatus incontinence (p = 0.01). There was no correlation between flatus incontinence or delivery variables and anal sphincter injuries; VVM values were not associated with either anal sphincter injuries or flatus incontinence at 5 months, but VVM values were negatively associated with flatus incontinence at 12 months after labor. CONCLUSIONS: At 5 months after labor, flatus incontinence is relatively common, and is not associated with reduced VVM values. Two-thirds of women recover from flatus incontinence during the first year. Women who had flatus incontinence persisting for a minimum of 1 year had reduced VVM values. Anal sphincter injuries as seen by TAUS are not associated with either VVM values or any delivery variable. Baby head circumference is the only delivery variable significantly associated with flatus incontinence.

A national strategic change in treatment policy for rectal cancer--implementation of total mesorectal excision as routine treatment in Norway. A national audit.

INTRODUCTION: Rectal cancer surgery has been characterized by a high incidence of local recurrence, an occurrence which influences survival negatively. In Norway there was a growing recognition that local recurrence rates were related to surgeon performance and that surgeons applying a standardized surgical technique in the form of total mesorectal excision could achieve better results. This contrasts with the prevailing argument voiced by many opinion leaders that local recurrence rates and possibly survival rates can only be improved by adjuvant or neoadjuvant treatment strategies. The Norwegian Rectal Cancer Project-initiated in 1993-aimed at improving the outcome of patients with rectal cancer by implementing total mesorectal excision as the standard rectal resection technique. METHODS: This observational national cohort study covers all new patients (3,319) with rectal cancer from a population of 4.5 million treated between November 1993 and August 1997. The main outcome measures were local recurrence, survival, and postoperative mortality and morbidity rates. The technique of total mesorectal excision was compared with conventional surgery. RESULTS: The proportion of patients undergoing total mesorectal excision was 78 percent in 1994, increasing to 92 percent in 1997. The observed local recurrence rate for patients undergoing a curative resection was 6 percent in the group treated by total mesorectal excision and 12 percent in the conventional surgery group. Four-year survival rate was 73 percent after total mesorectal excision and 60 percent after conventional surgery. Postoperative mortality rate was 3 percent and the anastomotic dehiscence rate was 10 percent. Radiotherapy was given to 5 percent and chemotherapy to 3 percent of the patients in the curative resection group. CONCLUSION: A refinement of the surgical resection technique for rectal cancer can be achieved on a national level, the technique of total mesorectal excision can be widely distributed, and surgery alone can give good results.