A multicentre comparative study between laparoscopic and open surgery for intussusception in adults.

AIM: Intussusception in adults is rare and requires surgery in most cases. While abdominal laparoscopic surgery (LS) is becoming more popular, there are few reports on the outcomes of adult intussusception treated with LS. This study compared the feasibility of LS vs open surgery (OS) for adult intussusception. METHOD: We reviewed retrospectively the medical records of adult patients with intussusception from three tertiary hospitals between 2000 and 2016. The patients were divided into LS and OS groups, and their surgical outcomes were compared. RESULTS: Surgery was indicated in 71 patients with intussusception (41 LS and 30 OS). The median age of the patients was 49.0 and 51.5 years in the LS and OS groups, respectively (P = 0.930). Overall, nine (12.7%) patients had a negative laparotomy or laparoscopy with spontaneous reduction of the intussusception. Conversion to OS from LS was necessary in one patient (2.4%). The operative time and intra-operative and postoperative complication rates were not significantly different. However, there were more serious complications such as bowel perforation and major vessel injury in the LS group. The patients in the LS group had a shorter time to first food intake and hospital stay vs patients in the OS group (4.0 vs 6.0 days, P < 0.001, and 7.0 vs 10.5 days, P < 0.001, respectively). CONCLUSION: LS may be feasible for adult intussusception; there may be more severe intra-operative complications than in OS.

Adult intussusception: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: Perhaps partly because intussusception in adults is rare, optimal treatment remains controversial. The aim of this study was to determine the appropriate surgical procedure for adult intussusception. METHODS: A systematic search was undertaken using PubMed, Embase, and Web of Science from 1/1980 to 12/2016. Adults (> 15 years) with intussusception treated by surgical or conservative measures were included. RESULTS: One thousand two hundred twenty-nine patients were identified from 40 retrospective case series. Pooled rates of malignant and benign tumors and idiopathic etiologies were 32.9% (95% CI 28.6-37.4), 37.4% (95% CI 32.7-42.3), and 15.1% (95% CI 11.7-19.3), respectively. Pooled rates of enteric, ileocolic, and colonic location types were 49.5% (95% CI 41.8-57.2), 29.1% (95% CI 23.0-36.1), and 19.9% (95% CI 16.3-24.1), respectively. Pooled rates of malignant tumors in enteric, ileocolic, and colonic intussusception were 22.5% (95% CI 18.3-27.3), 36.9% (95% CI 27.3-47.6), and 46.5% (31.1-62.6), respectively. Metastatic carcinoma was the main cause of malignant tumor in enteric intussusception. Conversely, primary adenocarcinoma was the main cause of malignant tumor in ileocolic and colonic intussusception. Considering the high rate of malignancy of colonic intussusception the majority of the studies surveyed recommend en bloc resection without reduction to avoid potential intraluminal seeding or venous tumor dissemination. Pooled rates of postoperative complications and mortality were 22.1% (95% CI 17.5-27.5) and 5.2% (95% CI 3.7-7.4), respectively. CONCLUSION: Whereas enteric intussusception can be managed by reduction followed by resection, colonic intussusception should be resected en bloc. Due to the intermediate forms between enteric and colonic intussusception, a selective approach is recommended. Surgery remains the mainstay in adult intussusception.

Midterm outcomes of injectable bulking agents for fecal incontinence: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: Various bulking agents have been used to treat fecal incontinence. While short-term outcomes are attractive, there is still a lack of long-term data. The aim of this systematic review and meta-analysis was to investigate the midterm outcomes of treatment with injectable bulking agents and to identify predictive factors for improvement in incontinence. METHODS: PubMed, EMBASE, Web of Science, and Cochrane Library databases were searched using the terms injection, bulking agents, and fecal incontinence. Studies with a minimum follow-up of 1 year were included. The improvement rate in incontinence was calculated by percent change in validated fecal incontinence score (FIS) following injection treatment. To explore the impact of predictive factors on improvement in incontinence, univariate meta-regressions were conducted using the random-effect model. RESULTS: A total of 889 patients in 23 articles were included. The weighted mean follow-up duration was 23.7 months (95% CI 19.3-28.2). Eleven different bulking agents were used. Four validated FISs were used. The Cleveland Clinic Fecal Incontinence score (CC-FIS) was used in 19 studies. Most studies reported a statistically significant improvement in FIS. The pooled mean preoperative CC-FIS (n = 637) was 12.4 (95% CI 11.4-13.3). The pooled mean CC-FIS at last follow-up (n = 590) was 7.7 (95% CI 6.1-9.3). The weighted mean difference in CC-FIS between preoperative visit and last follow-up was 4.9 (95% CI 4.0-5.8). Hence, the rate of improvement in incontinence was 39.5% based on CC-FIS. Meta-regression revealed that the perianal injection route and implants intact on endoanal ultrasonography were predictive of greater improvement in incontinence. The manometric data revealed that the initial increase in the mean resting pressure following injection was attenuated over time. The pooled rate of adverse events was 18.0% (95% CI 10.0-30.1). In most cases, adverse events were minor and resolved within a couple of weeks. CONCLUSIONS: Administration of injectable bulking agents results in significant midterm improvement in FIS. Perianal injection route and implants intact on EAUS were predictive of higher improvement in incontinence. However, given the paucity of randomized controlled trials in the literature, further research is needed to improve the quality of the evidence.

An azobenzene-containing metal-organic framework as an efficient heterogeneous catalyst for direct amidation of benzoic acids: synthesis of bioactive compounds.

An azobenzene-containing zirconium metal-organic framework was demonstrated to be an effective heterogeneous catalyst for the direct amidation of benzoic acids in tetrahydrofuran at 70 °C. This finding was applied to the synthesis of several important, representative bioactive compounds.

Suboptimal results after sphincteroplasty: another hazard of obesity.

BACKGROUND: This study aimed to investigate the outcomes of sphincteroplasty in obese patients. METHODS: Patients with fecal incontinence (FI) who underwent sphincter repair were identified and divided into obese [body mass index (BMI) ≥ 30 kg/m(2)] and nonobese (BMI < 30 kg/m(2)) groups. Cleveland Clinic Florida FI Score (CCFFIS: 0 best and 20 worst) and FI quality of life (FIQoL) score (mean global FIQoL: 4.11 best and 1 worst) were recorded. Wilcoxon and Mann-Whitney U tests compared quantitative variables; Fisher's exact test was used for categorical variables. RESULTS: Seventy-nine patients (78 females; mean age: 57 ± 15 years) were divided into obese (n = 15) and nonobese (n = 64) groups and were similar in age, etiology, physiologic parameters, and preoperative CCFFIS. Median follow-up was 64 (13-138) months. There were 3 (25 %) and 11 (17 %) complications in the obese and nonobese groups, respectively (p = 0.68), the most common being wound infection. Mean CCFFIS decreased from 16.0 ± 3.9 to 11.5 ± 6.5 in the obese (p < 0.001) and 16.2 ± 3.4 to 8.4 ± 5.0 in the nonobese groups (p < 0.001). Postoperative CCFFIS correlated with FIQoL (Spearman's correlation coefficient = -0.738, p < 0.001). Nonobese patients had significantly higher CCFFIS improvement (48 vs. 28 % p = 0.04) and a superior mean global FIQoL score (2.19 ± 0.9 vs. 2.93 ± 0.8, p < 0.01). Four (29 %) obese and 11 (17 %) nonobese patients required further surgery after failed sphincteroplasty (p = 0.45). CONCLUSIONS: Risk of complications and need of further continence surgery were similar between obese and nonobese patients. However, obese patients experienced less improvement after sphincteroplasty.

Ligation of intersphincteric fistula tract (LIFT) to treat anal fistula: systematic review and meta-analysis.

Sphincter-preserving approaches to treat anal fistula do not jeopardize continence; however, healing rates are suboptimal. In this context, ligation of the intersphincteric fistula tract (LIFT) can be considered promising offering high success rates and a relatively simple procedure. This review aimed to investigate the outcomes of LIFT to treat anal fistula. We conducted a systematic review of the Pubmed, Web of Science, and Cochrane databases, to retrieve all relevant scientific original articles and scientific abstracts (Web of Science) related to the LIFT procedure for anal fistula between January 2007 and March 2013. The search yielded 24 original articles including 1,110 patients; these included one randomized controlled study, three case control studies, and 20 case series. Most studies included patients with trans-sphincteric or complex fistula, not amenable to fistulotomy. During a pooled mean 10.3 months of follow-up, the mean success, incontinence, intraoperative, and postoperative complication rates were 76.4, 0, 0, and 5.5%, respectively. A sensitivity analysis showed that the impact on success in terms of follow-up duration, study size, and combining other procedures was limited. There was no association between pre-LIFT drainage seton and success of LIFT. Ligation of the intersphincteric fistula tract appears to be an effective and safe treatment for trans-sphincteric or complex anal fistula. Combining other procedures and a pre-LIFT drainage seton does not seem to confer any added benefit in terms of success. However, given the lack of prospective randomized trials, interpretation of these data must be cautious. Further trials are mandatory to identify predictive factors for success, and true effectiveness of the LIFT compared to other sphincter-preserving procedures to treat anal fistula.

What is the best option for failed sphincter repair?

AIM: This study aimed to evaluate the outcome of various procedures for patients with fecal incontinence following failed sphincteroplasty. METHOD: Patients who underwent surgery for failed sphincteroplasty from January 2000 to June 2011 [corrected] were identified. They were assessed using the Fecal Incontinence Quality of Life (FIQoL) scale and the Cleveland Clinic Florida-Wexner Fecal Incontinence Score (CCFFIS). RESULTS: Fifty-nine patients [97% females; median age 52 (25-81) years] were identified. They underwent either repeat sphincteroplasty (RS; n = 33), artificial bowel sphincter (ABS; n = 11) or sacral nerve stimulation (SNS; n = 15). The median follow-up was 31 (3-138) months. The RS group had a significantly wider external sphincter defect and had undergone fewer previous sphincteroplasties. The most common complication was infection. The incidence of complications was significantly higher after ABS (73%) compared with RS (24%) and SNS (33%) (P = 0.01). Seventeen (29%) patients required re-operation for complications or failure, with a lower rate in the RS group (P = 0.004). There was no difference in the rates of device removal after ABS or SNS. Ten (17%) patients underwent further surgery or re-implantation of the device with no difference between the groups. At follow-up, five (45%) ABS and 10 (67%) SNS patients retained a functioning device (P = 0.4). The mean postoperative CCFFIS decreased from 17.5 to 11.5 in the RS group, from 18.7 to 8.6 in the ABS group, and from 17.6 to 9.1 in the SNS group (P ≤ 0.02 for all). There were no differences in the improvement of CCFFIS or FIQoL scores among groups. CONCLUSION: RS, ABS and SNS are associated with similar improvements in continence after failed sphincteroplasty. Due to increased complications and re-operation with ABS and SNS, RS may be the first step in managing these patients.

Mycobacterium kansasii pericarditis in a kidney transplant recipient: a case report and comprehensive review of the literature.

Mycobacterium kansasii is the second most common non-tuberculous mycobacteria in kidney transplant recipients (KTRs) and has been reported to cause disseminated infection in KTRs. We report the first case to our knowledge of M. kansasii pericarditis after kidney transplantation in a 54-year-old man. The patient was admitted with a 2-month history of intermittent fever and myalgia, treated with oral prednisolone and mycophenolate mofetil prior to admission. Chest computed tomography showed enlarged mediastinal lymph node and small amount of pericardial effusion. Mediastinoscopic biopsy of mediastinal lymph node revealed reactive hyperplasia, without evidence of granuloma, but acid-fast bacilli stain of pericardial fluid reported positive finding and pericardial fluid culture identified M. kansasii. The patient has been treated successfully with rifabutin-based combination therapy. All available cases of M. kansasii infection in kidney transplant patients and M. kansasii pericarditis in human immunodeficiency virus-infected patients are comprehensively reviewed.

Successful kidney transplantation after desensitization using plasmapheresis, low-dose intravenous immunoglobulin, and rituximab in highly sensitized patients: a single-center experience.

BACKGROUND: For many highly allosensitized renal transplant candidates, an acceptable donor is never identified, and the patient remains on dialysis indefinitely. In an attempt to ameliorate this situation, several desensitization protocols have been developed that permit positive-crossmatch kidney transplantation. Here, we report our experiences of living donor kidney transplantation in highly sensitized patients. METHODS: We treated seven highly sensitized patients between March 2003 and September 2009. All patients underwent desensitization using pretransplant plasmapheresis (PP) and low-dose intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG; 100 mg/kg) with rituximab (six patients) or without rituximab (one patient). Demographics, immunologic characteristics of patients, allograft function, acute rejection (AR) episodes, survival, and adverse events were evaluated. RESULTS: Seven patients with positive-crossmatch tests or high levels of panel-reactive antibody (PRA) were included. Their mean age was 51.4 ± 3.3 years. The average number of human leukocyte antigen mismatchs was 3.4 ± 0.5. The mean percent PRA was 41.7% ± 6.1%. Six patients were crossmatch-positive, and one patient was crossmatch-negative but had high PRA levels. The mean follow-up period was 33.2 ± 5.4 months after transplantation. The all patients showed no AR episodes for follow-up period, and the patient and graft survival rates were 100%. The mean serum creatinine concentration at last follow-up was 0.92 ± 0.11 mg/dL. CONCLUSIONS: Our experiences suggest that the combination of PP and low-dose IVIG with or without rituximab may prove effective as a desensitization regimen for positive-crossmatch and/or highly sensitized living donor renal transplant recipients. Further investigations are needed to evaluate the long-term clinical efficacy and safety of this approach.

Comparison of bone density measurement techniques: DXA and Archimedes' principle.

The standard method for determination of density (g/cm3) of bones from small animals has been the application of Archimedes' principle. A recent development has been software for the determination of "density" (g/cm2) of small animal bones with dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA). We compared Archimedes' principle and DXA (Hologic QDR-2000) in the measurement of the densities of whole and hollowed femurs of 5- to 6-month-old retired female breeder rats. In an attempt to ensure detectable treatment differences, rats were used from a low-vitamin D Holtzman and a supplemental-vitamin D Sprague-Dawley colony. Whole femur densities were higher for supplemental-vitamin D colony rats than for low vitamin D rats using both techniques (Archimedes' principle, p < 0.002; DXA, p < 0.005), and the densities from the two techniques were highly correlated (r = 0.82, p < 0.0001). Actual density values were higher for Archimedes' principle than for DXA. Other variables such as femur ash weight and calcium content were also highly correlated to densities with both techniques. Hollowed femur density values were higher than whole femur values with Archimedes' principle but lower with DXA. Colony effects for hollowed femur densities were diminished with Archimedes' principle (p < 0.03) and eliminated with DXA (p < 0.53). Investigation of whole bones is more biologically relevant, and both techniques were effective in detecting differences between whole femurs from low-vitamin D and supplemental-vitamin D colony rats.