Evaluation of the anorectal motor response after percutaneous stimulation of the posterior tibial nerve in patients with fecal incontinence.

BACKGROUND: The effect of posterior tibial nerve stimulation (PTNS) on the mechanisms of anal continence has not been fully demonstrated. The aim of this study was to assess the anal manometric response after percutaneous PTNS in patients with fecal incontinence (FI). METHODS: This was a prospective study in patients with FI undergoing 1 weekly session of percutaneous PTNS for 8 weeks. A clinical assessment (Wexner scale) and a complete study of up to 22 manometric parameters were carried out prior to treatment and 2-4 weeks after the end of treatment. RESULTS: A total of 32 patients were evaluated. After therapy, there was a decrease in the average Wexner score [12.6 (± 5.2) to 9.5 (± 5.2) (P < 0.005)] and an increase in the "anal canal length at rest" [4.55 (± 0.60) to 4.95 (± 0.21) P = 0.004], without observing variations in other manometric parameters. The decrease in the Wexner score was significantly correlated with an increase in the "pressure at 5 cm at rest" after therapy (r = 0.464 P = 0.030). CONCLUSIONS: In our study, PTNS was associated with a significant decrease in the Wexner score and with an increase in the functional length of the anal canal at rest. The improvement in the Wexner scale was correlated with an increase in pressure at rest in the theoretical area of the anorectal junction.

Long-term results of artificial bowel sphincter for the treatment of severe faecal incontinence. Are they what we hoped for?

OBJECTIVE: This study evaluates the long-term morbidity, functional results and quality of life (QOL) after treatment of severe faecal incontinence (FI) with the Acticon Neosphincter (American Medical Systems, Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA). METHOD: Between 1996 and 2002, 17 consecutive patients (14 female, 3 male; median age 46) underwent sphincter implantation. Clinical evaluation, incontinence severity and QOL were assessed. Anorectal manometry, endoanal ultrasound and pudendal nerve latency were performed preoperatively and at several stages of follow-up. The study was completed in December 2007. RESULTS: Mean follow-up was 68 months (range: 3-133). Morbidity occurred in 100% of patients from which 65% required at least one re-operation. After the first implant, 11 devices had to be removed (65%). Seven patients had a new implant. At the final stage, Acticon was activated in 9 cases (53%). Severity of FI improved from a median of 17.5 preoperatively to 9 (P = 0.005), 5.5 (P = 0.005) and 10 (P = 0.092) at 6, 12 months and at the end of follow-up, respectively. There was a significant improvement in QOL in all postoperative controls (P < 0.05). Severity of FI did not show a correlation with QOL in the preoperative period, but did at 6, 12 months and at the end of follow-up. Mean maximum resting pressure significantly increased with the full anal cuff. CONCLUSION: There is a high rate of morbidity, surgical re-interventions and explants after Acticon implant. Patients should be clearly informed about this before surgery. However, patients who have not had Acticon Neosphincter explanted, experience a significant improvement in anal continence and QOL.

The effect of surgery on quality of life in patients with faecal incontinence of obstetric origin.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the results of surgery in the treatment of faecal incontinence of obstetric origin and assess the effect of treatment on the quality of life of these patients. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A consecutive series of 43 patients, who had undergone surgery for severe faecal incontinence of obstetric aetiology between March 1990 and March 2004, was studied. The following studies were carried out: clinical evaluation, anorectal manometry, anal endosonography (from 1996 on) and measurement of the pudendal nerve terminal motor latency. The degree of incontinence, both preoperative and at the end of follow-up was evaluated using the Cleveland Clinic Score (CCS). Quality of life assessment was made using the Fecal Incontinence Quality of Life Scale (FIQL). RESULTS: The study was completed on 35 (87%) of the 43 patients. The mean age in the series was 53 years, (range 28-73). After an average follow-up of 50.4 months (range 4-132) the mean CCS had reduced significantly, passing from 16 (range 8-20) to 6 (range 0-18; P < 0.001). Pudendal neuropathy was found to be a factor of poor prognosis. The results of the quality of life questionnaire at the end of follow-up were: lifestyle 3.5 (SD 0.65), coping/behaviour 3.1 (SD 0.81), depression/self perception 3.7 (SD 0.75) and embarrassment 3.3 (SD 0.91). There is a statistically significant linear relationship between incontinence measured on the CCS and quality of life. For the 14 patients undergoing surgery since the publication of the FIQL questionnaire, it was possible to complete the questionnaire preoperatively, with significant improvement found on each of the four scales (lifestyle 1.7 vs 3.5; coping/behaviour 1.4 vs 3.2; depression 2.2 vs 3.8; embarrassment 1.8 vs 3.2; P < 0.001). CONCLUSION: Surgical treatment of faecal incontinence of obstetric origin achieves good results in a high percentage of patients and has a positive effect on their quality of life. The existence of prolonged preoperative pudendal nerve motor latency indicates a poor prognosis.

Experience and results on the surgical and medical treatment of ischaemic colitis.

OBJECTIVE: To analyse differences between patients with transient forms of ischemic colitis managed with medical treatment and those developing gangrenous forms subsidiaries of surgical treatment. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Retrospective study (1991-1998) of the ischemic colitis cases occurred in our center separating into two groups according to treatment received (A group: medical, 19 patients; B group: surgical, 10 patients). RESULTS: Hypertension mainly appear in B group being average age higher in this group than in A group (p < 0.05). Other risk factors analysed such as diabetes, cardiovascular disease, renal failure or consume of different drugs appear in similar way in both groups. In A group patients clinical presentation hematochezia is typical while B group use to start with acute abdomen associated to abdominal distension and hyperleukocytosis (p < 0.05). In group B average estance, morbidity and mortality have been higher than in A (17.4 vs 8.6 days 70 vs 5%, 40 vs 0%, respectively). CONCLUSION: Hypertension and advanced age are associated risk factors of gangrenous ischemic colitis. The classic clinical presentation of abdominal pain and hematochezia is typical in transient forms. Patients who need a surgical operation for ischemic colitis have a high morbimortality.

Experiencia y resultados en el tratamiento quirúrgico y conservador de la colitis isquémica / Experience and results on the surgical and medical treatment of ischaemic colitis

Objetivo: analizar las diferencias entre los pacientes con formas transitorias de colitis isquémicas (CI) resueltas con tratamiento médico y aquéllos que desarrollan formas gangrenosas subsidiarias de tratamiento quirúrgico. Material y métodos: se estudian retrospectivamente (19911998) los casos de CI en nuestro centro dividiéndolos en dos grupos según el tratamiento recibido (grupo A: conservador, 19 pacientes; grupo B: quirúrgico, 10 pacientes).Resultados: la hipertensión arterial aparece mayoritariamente en el grupo B siendo en éste la edad media superior respecto al grupo A (p<0,05). Otros factores de riesgo analizados como diabetes, patología cardiovascular, insuficiencia renal o consumo de diversos fármacos aparecen de forma similar en ambos grupos. En la presentación clínica de los pacientes del grupo A es típica la hematoquecia mientras que los del grupo B suelen debutar con abdomen agudo asociado a distensión abdominal y leucocitosis (p<0,05). En el grupo B han sido superiores la estancia media, la morbilidad y la mortalidad respecto al grupo A (17,4 vs 8,6 días, 70 vs 5 por ciento y 40 vs 0 por ciento, respectivamente). Conclusiones: la HTA y la edad avanzada son factores de riesgo asociados a CI gangrenosas. La presentación clínica clásica de dolor abdominal con hematoquecia es típica de las formas transitorias. Los pacientes que requieren intervención quirúrgica por CI tienen una elevada morbimortalidad (AU)

Nuestra experiencia en el tratamiento de los traumatismos anorrectales y sus secuelas / Our experience in the treatment of anorectal trauma and its sequelae

Introducción. El objetivo de este trabajo es describir nuestra experiencia y resultados en el tratamiento de los traumatismos anorrectales accidentales y de sus secuelas. Pacientes y métodos. Se describen el manejo y los resulta dos funcionales de un grupo con 23 casos de traumatismo anorrectal de etiología accidental (grupo I) y otro con 18 casos de secuelas rectoanales postraumáticas (grupo II). Se excluyen iatrogenia y traumatismo obstétrico. Resultados. El tratamiento en las perforaciones rectales extraperitoneales fue principalmente (67 por ciento) sutura primaria, colostomía derivativa, lavado rectal distal y drenaje presacro, y en las intraperitoneales varió según las condiciones locales. La morbilidad fue del 17 por ciento. La lesión esfinteriana fue tratada con sutura primaria en un 82 por ciento de casos. No hubo en este grupo alteraciones tardías de la continencia. El estudio funcional en el grupo II consistió en manometría anorrectal, latencias de nervios pudendos o ecografía endoanal en función del tipo de secuela (incontinencia, fístulas, estenosis), y el tratamiento fue en un 50 por ciento la esfinteroplastia, con resultados funcionales satisfactorios en un 79 por ciento. Conclusiones. El tratamiento de un traumatismo anorrectal debe ser individualizado, pero prevaleciendo las reglas básicas descritas para este tipo de traumatismos (lavado del recto distal, drenaje presacro, etc.). Los estudios funcional y ecográfico esfinterianos son necesarios en la evaluación de las secuelas anorrectales postraumáticas, con la finalidad de realizar un enfoque más correcto de su tratamiento y conseguir mejores resultados (AU)

[Sensitivity of the anal canal: study techniques and results in normal subjects]. / Sensibilidad del canal anal. Técnicas de estudio y resultados en sujetos normales.

AIM: To describe a technique for the study of the anal canal sensitivity to electric and thermal stimulation, and to investigate it prospectively in normal subjects. EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN: Mucosal electrosensitivity and thermal sensation of the anal canal is correlated with motor parameters: perineometry, manometry and electrophysiology. PATIENTS: 41 control subjects (20M & 21F) with normal anorectal anatomophysiology. RESULTS: In the middle anal canal minimum electrosensibility thresholds were present, and they were similar to the thermal profile. A significant impairment in electrosensitivity was observed as a function of age, but no differences between the sexes were found. Lower thresholds were obtained than cold temperatures (p < 0.001). Both tests of sensitivity correlated with pudendal motor parameters. The maximal thermal difference in the anal canal was 0.28 degree C, while the minimal detectable temperature change was 0.46 +/- 0.1 degrees C. CONCLUSIONS: The sensitivity of the anal canal is greatest in the zone of the anal valves and better in response to hot than cold stimulus. As the minimum detectable temperature change has been greater than the difference of temperature between the low and high anal canal, we suggest that discrimination is not possible on the basis of thermal differences.