Transvaginal sonography determines accurately extent of infiltration of rectosigmoid deep endometriosis.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the agreement of measurements of the three diameters of rectosigmoid deep endometriosis (DE) lesions between presurgical evaluation using transvaginal sonography (TVS) and postsurgical specimen measurement (PSM). METHODS: This was a prospective observational multicenter study including symptomatic women undergoing surgical treatment for DE involving the rectosigmoid, by either discoid or segmental resection, from April 2017 to December 2019. TVS was performed presurgically to evaluate lesion size (craniocaudal-midsagittal length, anteroposterior thickness and transverse diameter), in accordance with the International Deep Endometriosis Analysis (IDEA) group consensus statement, and was compared with PSM. The agreement of lesion dimensions between the two methods was assessed by Bland-Altman plots and limits of agreement and additionally by the intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) and Pearson's correlation coefficient. Systematic and proportional bias was assessed using the paired t-test. RESULTS: A total of 207 consecutive women were eligible for inclusion. Forty-one women were excluded, leaving 166 women for final analysis. A total of 123 segmental resections and 46 discoid resections were performed (both procedures were performed in three women). The mean difference between TVS and PSM was 0.90 (95% CI, 0.85-0.95) mm for lesion length measurements, 1.03 (95% CI, 0.98-1.09) mm for lesion thickness measurements and 0.84 (95% CI, 0.79-0.89) mm for transverse diameter measurements. Bland-Altman analysis demonstrated good agreement between the two methods for measurements of lesion length. Furthermore, there was good reliability and correlation between TVS and PSM for lesion length measurements, as demonstrated by an ICC of 0.82 (95% CI, 0.75-0.87) and Pearson's correlation coefficient of 0.72 (95% CI, 0.62-0.80), moderate-to-good reliability and correlation for lesion thickness measurements, with an ICC of 0.76 (95% CI, 0.67-0.82) and Pearson's correlation coefficient of 0.61 (95% CI, 0.51-0.70), and poor-to-moderate reliability and correlation for transverse diameter measurements, with an ICC of 0.58 (95% CI, 0.39-0.71) and Pearson's correlation coefficient of 0.46 (95% CI, 0.33-0.58). CONCLUSION: Preoperative TVS determines accurately rectosigmoid DE lesion length. TVS can thereby contribute to optimal planning of surgical treatment options in women with rectosigmoid DE. © 2021 The Authors. Ultrasound in Obstetrics & Gynecology published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of International Society of Ultrasound in Obstetrics and Gynecology.

Transvaginal sonography accurately measures lesion-to-anal-verge distance in women with deep endometriosis of the rectosigmoid.

OBJECTIVES: First, to investigate the accuracy of transvaginal sonography (TVS) for presurgical evaluation of the distance between the most caudal part of the endometriotic lesion and the anal verge (lesion-to-anal-verge distance (LAVD)) in women with rectosigmoid deep endometriosis (DE), compared with intraoperative measurement (IOM). Second, to assess the agreement between anastomosis height and LAVD measured using TVS. METHODS: This was a prospective observational multicenter study of symptomatic women who were scheduled for surgical treatment of rectosigmoid DE, by either discoid or segmental resection, between April 2017 and September 2019. Presurgical TVS was performed to evaluate the LAVD in two ways, depending on the level of the lesion. Method 1: for lesions at the level of the rectovaginal septum (RVS), the caudal part of the lesion was identified on TVS and an index finger was placed on the TVS probe at the level of the anal verge. The probe was withdrawn and the distance from the tip of the TVS probe down to the index finger was measured using a ruler, representing the LAVD. Method 2: for lesions above the RVS, the distance between the caudal part of the lesion and the lower lip of the posterior cervix was measured in a frozen image (LAVD-1), and the distance between the lower lip of the posterior cervix and the anal verge (LAVD-2) was measured using Method 1. These two measurements (LAVD-1 and LAVD-2) were added together and the result represented the total LAVD. During surgery, a rectal probe was used to perform IOM of LAVD, which was considered as the gold standard test. Agreement between LAVD measured using TVS and the IOM was assessed using Bland-Altman analysis. The intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) for absolute agreement and Spearman's correlation coefficient were also calculated. Systematic and proportional bias were tested for significance using the paired t-test. Similar analysis was performed to assess agreement between LAVD measured using TVS and anastomosis height. RESULTS: A total of 147 consecutive women were considered eligible for inclusion. Fourteen women were excluded initially. Thirty-four discoid resections and 102 segmental resections were performed; both procedures were performed in three women. Two more women were excluded from the final analysis because the measurements represented extreme outliers. The mean LAVD measured using TVS was 114.8 ± 36.5 mm and the mean IOM was 116.9 ± 42.3 mm. There was no statistically significant difference between LAVD measured using TVS and IOM (mean difference, -2.12 mm (95% CI, -6.33 to 2.05 mm); P = 0.32). Bland-Altman analysis showed that there was good agreement between the two methods. The ICC was 0.81 (95% CI, 0.74-0.86) and Spearman's correlation coefficient was 0.68 (95% CI, 0.56-0.77). The mean difference between LAVD measured using TVS and anastomosis height was statistically, but not clinically, significant (mean difference, 10.25 mm (95% CI, 5.94-14.32 mm); P = 0.0005), and the ICC was 0.78 (95% CI, 0.66-0.85). CONCLUSIONS: There is good agreement between the LAVD measured using TVS and the IOM in women with rectosigmoid DE. As a consequence, TVS could be useful for estimation of the height of the final surgical anastomosis in women undergoing full-thickness resection for rectosigmoid DE. This is of pivotal importance in reducing the risk of complications and need for a temporary stoma, and could improve patient counseling. © 2020 The Authors. Ultrasound in Obstetrics & Gynecology published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of International Society of Ultrasound in Obstetrics and Gynecology.

Precostal top-down extended totally extraperitoneal ventral hernia plasty (eTEP): simplification of a complex technical approach.

PURPOSE: Retromuscular mesh augmentation is generally considered to be the ideal technique for repairing ventral hernias and can be performed laparoscopically by 'enhanced view totally extraperitoneal plasty' (eTEP)-a technically complex procedure that requires a high level of surgical expertise. We aimed to develop a simplified technical modification. METHODS: Thirty-one patients with ventral hernias were operated with a modified precostal, top-down eTEP approach, and prospectively recorded in our hernia registry. We describe this novel standardized precostal access and the bilateral development of both retromuscular compartments with a cylindrical dilating balloon port. Demographic-, hernia-specific-, and perioperative data were analyzed retrospectively. RESULTS: Twenty-two primary and 9 incisional hernias with an average defect size of 34.5 cm2 were repaired. An average implant of 420 cm2 always completely covered diastasis recti and/or scars from previous midline laparotomies. Average procedure time was 128 min. One conversion was required due to peritoneal injury. Postoperatively there was one local infection and one patient suffered an interparietal herniation. There were no recurrences during the average 8-month follow-up period. CONCLUSION: With technical modification of precostal access and pneumatic balloon dilation of both retro-rectus compartments, the complex procedure can be simplified through time saving and straightforward unidirectional 'top-down' dissection. The better overview facilitates the crossover for connecting both retro-rectus spaces. In addition, the cranial access allows the anterior- and posterior layers to be closed up to the xiphoid.

Endoscopic anterior component separation: a novel technical approach.

PURPOSE: Open anterior release of the external oblique fascia to enable midline closure of large abdominal wall defects is associated with relevant morbidity due to extensive subcutaneous dissection. Using endoscopic techniques, wound complications can be minimized. However, identification of the correct entry point (e.g. for balloon trocar insertion) can be challenging especially in adipose patients. We therefore present a technical modification facilitating the entire procedure. METHODS: A novel technique for endoscopic anterior component separation using a trocar system allowing blunt and sharp dissection under direct vision is described. This brief communication also contains our initial experience and learning curve with this novel approach. RESULTS: Endoscopic release of the external oblique fascia was successfully performed 29 times in a total of 15 patients. Body mass index accounted for 30.8 kg/m2 (median; range 21.6-42.5). Transverse width of midline defect accounted for 7 cm (median; range 4-12). Subsequent hernia repair was successfully done using sublay mesh reinforcement (n = 13) or a laparoscopic intraperitoneal onlay mesh procedure (n = 2) with midline closure in all cases. One hematoma was seen at site of release managed conservatively. CONCLUSIONS: Using a trocar system allowing blunt and sharp dissection under direct vision may be a viable option for the endoscopic anterior component separation.

Diagnosis, management and outcome of early anastomotic leakage following colorectal anastomosis using a compression device: is it different?

AIM: Compression anastomosis has proved to be safe for rectal reconstruction with leak rates comparable to those observed using circular stapling devices. However, there are no data on whether the metallic compression ring alters the ease of diagnosis or the treatment in cases of leakage. In this study, we present our experience with early leakage following compression anastomosis. METHOD: A prospective registry was used for data review. Patients with anastomotic leakage following compression anastomosis between November 2008 and September 2013 were included. RESULTS: In all, 197 (92 female) patients were operated using a novel compression device. Early leakage was found in 10 (5.1%) patients after a median of 5 (3-14) days. The radiologist was able to detect leakage using CT in nine out of 10 cases unequivocally. Removal of the ring was necessary in eight of the 10 cases, and salvage of the anastomosis was feasible on six occasions. In all diverted cases with a low anastomosis, a transanal repair of the defect was feasible in three cases, including a single patient with complete separation of the anastomosis. CONCLUSION: Artefacts on the CT scan caused by the compression ring did not hamper the diagnosis of anastomotic leakage. Removal of the ring in the early postoperative period is not associated with complete separation of the bowel ends. Salvage of anastomosis is feasible in most cases.

Repeat endorectal advancement flap after flap breakdown and recurrence of fistula-in-ano--is it an option?

AIM: Endorectal advancement flaps are an established treatment for high transsphincteric and suprasphincteric fistulae. The outcome of a repeat procedure in the case of flap breakdown and fistula recurrence remains unclear. The aim of the study was to analyse the outcome of repeat endorectal advancement flaps. METHODS: We retrospectively analysed patients with a repeat endorectal advancement flap procedure after flap breakdown and recurrence of fistula-in-ano of cryptoglandular origin who had been treated in our unit between 1994 and 2010. RESULTS: In all, 97 patients underwent an endorectal advancement flap procedure for fistula-in-ano and, of these, nine patients (five men, four women, 9.3%) subsequently underwent a repeat procedure due to flap breakdown. Median age was 40 years (range 25-60). Median follow-up time was 85 months (range 26-136). Seven full-thickness and two mucosal flap repeat procedures were performed because of eight transsphincteric and one suprasphincteric fistulae. The repeat procedure was successful in seven (78%) patients. In one of the two patients with repeat flap failure, a third flap procedure failed again. Disturbances of postoperative faecal incontinence were observed in five (55%) patients. Overall, the median postoperative Vaizey faecal incontinence score was 1 (range 0-4). CONCLUSION: Repeat endorectal advancement flap procedures are feasible and associated with a low recurrence rate and mild postoperative faecal incontinence. Therefore, a repeat procedure is a viable option in the case of a flap breakdown and fistula recurrence.

Bridging the gap with an ileocolonic graft after extensive colorectal resections.

BACKGROUND: Ileocecal interposition (ICI) for first-line reconstruction after low anterior colorectal resection was introduced by von Flüe and Harder in 1994 (Dis Colon Rectum 37:1160-1162, 1994). We report our experience using this technique to bridge colonic gaps after significant loss of bowel length. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Between 1999 and 2009 the left-sided colon was too short for traditional isoperistaltic reconstruction in six patients treated in our hospital. Reasons for extensive bowel loss were a deficient (n = 3) or torn (n = 1) marginal artery with ischemia or repeat colorectal resections (n = 2). An ICI was done to bridge the gap and enable restoration of intestinal continuity. RESULTS: No patient died. Whenever performing a coloanal anastomosis (4/6) a loop ileostomy was raised. One patient with colonic diversion experienced graft-related complications: ischemic colitis of the interposed colonic segment, anastomotic stenosis, and a presacral sinus were observed and managed nonoperatively. Subsequent closure of the stoma was possible in all cases. A median Vaizey incontinence score of 9 (range: 4-14) was recorded in the patient with coloanal anastomosis. The average number of bowel movements per day was 1.5 (range: 0.5-6). CONCLUSIONS: When the descending colon does not reach the rectal stump or anal canal in reoperative cases or after vascular complication, ICI is a useful salvage procedure resulting in good bowel function.