Is magnetic anal sphincter augmentation still an option in fecal incontinence treatment: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

PURPOSE: Magnetic anal sphincter (MAS) augmentation is a novel surgical option for the treatment of fecal incontinence. Current clinical evidence is conflicting. The purpose of this meta-analysis was to report the safety profile, potential benefits, and the functional efficacy of this device. METHODS: The study followed the PRISMA guidelines. Literature databases (Medline, Scopus, Web of Science, CENTRAL) were screened for eligible articles. The primary endpoint was the pooled effect of MAS in the Cleveland Clinic Incontinence Score (CCIS) score. Quality evaluation was based on the ROBINS-I and Risk of Bias 2 tool. RESULTS: Overall, 8 studies with 205 patients were included. MAS resulted in a significant reduction of CCIS values (p = 0.019), and improvement only in the embarrassment domain of FIQoL scores (p = 0.034). The overall morbidity rate was 61.8%. Postoperative adverse events included MAS explantation in 12%, infection in 5.1%, pain in 10% and obstructed defecation in 5.8% of patients. CONCLUSION: The application of MAS in patients with fecal incontinence results in the improvement of some clinical parameters with a notable morbidity rate. Due to several study limitations, further, high-quality RCTs are required to delineate the efficacy and safety of MAS.

The role of the Rafaelo procedure in the management of hemorrhoidal disease: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to summarize the current evidence regarding the role of the Rafaelo procedure in the management of hemorrhoidal disease (HD). METHODS: This study was based on the Cochrane Handbook for Systematic Reviews of Interventions and the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines. A literature search was performed (Medline, Scopus, CENTRAL, and Web of Science) from inception to 25/09/2022. Grey literature databases were also reviewed. The primary endpoint was the pooled complications rate of the Rafaelo procedure in patients with HD. Secondary endpoints included short- (bleeding, pain, thrombosis, necrosis, urinary retention, fever, oedema, anal fissure, and readmission) and long-term (stenosis, meteorism, constipation, anal tags, anal hyposensibility, reoperation, and recurrence) postoperative complication rates. Both prospective and retrospective studies were considered. Quality evaluation was performed via the ROBINS-I tool. Certainty of Evidence was based on the Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development, and Evaluation (GRADE) methodology. RESULTS: Overall, 6 non-randomized studies and 327 patients were included. The overall complication rate was 17.6% (95% CI 8.8-26.3%). Short-term complications were bleeding (7.5%, 95% CI 2.5-12.5%), thrombosis (2.2%, 95% CI 0.4-4.8%), and pain (1.6%, 95% CI 0.2-3.3%). Reoperation and recurrence rates were 1.8% (95% CI 0.3-3.4%) and 4.8% (95% CI 1.2-8.4%), respectively. A significant improvement in the presenting symptoms was noted. Method approval and patient satisfaction rates were 89.1% (95% CI 81.7-96.6%) and 95% (95% CI 89.8-100%), correspondingly. Overall CoE was "Very Low". CONCLUSIONS: Further randomized controlled trials are required to delineate the exact role of the Rafaelo procedure in HD.

Superinfection of an Obstructive Appendiceal Mucocele: A Case Report.

Appendiceal mucocele is an uncommon entity that may arise due to benign or malignant processes. The radiologic exploration of this entity is necessary for diagnosis, and its imaging manifestations vary, with some findings being more common than others. More specifically, the radiological findings of a superinfected mucocele are rare, with few reports in the literature. Herein we present the case of a 68-year-old male patient with a superinfected appendiceal obstructive mucocele caused by a fecalith, which was diagnosed by abdominal CT evaluation.

Laparoscopic cholecystectomy for acalculous, gangrenous cholecystitis on an outpatient COVID-19 adult: a case report.

We report the rare case of an acalculous, gangrenous cholecystitis on a, previously healthy, outpatient COVID-19 adult. The 53-year-old patient presented to the emergency department due to epigastric pain and fever and was admitted to the COVID-19 department. Due to clinical and laboratory deterioration, a computed tomography scan was performed that confirmed the diagnosis of acalculous cholecystitis. The patient was submitted to laparoscopic cholecystectomy. Intraoperatively, a gangrenous gallbladder was identified. Immunohistology validated the presence of specimen wall vasculitis and vessel thrombosis.

Comparison of wound closure techniques after thyroid and parathyroid surgery: an updated systematic review and network meta-analysis.

We designed and conducted the present study to evaluate the optimal wound closure technique after thyroid and parathyroid surgery in terms of perioperative safety, efficacy, and cosmetic outcomes. A systematic literature review and network meta-analysis (NMA) was performed according to the Cochrane Handbook for Systematic Reviews of Interventions and the PRISMA guidelines. Literature screening was completed at 10/12/2021. A random effects multivariate network meta-analysis under a frequentist framework was implemented. Statistical significance was considered at the level of p < 0.05. Overall, 18 studies and 1314 patients were included. Conventional sutures (CS) received the best ranking (SUCRA: 90.1%) in wound-related morbidity. Metal clips (MC) was the best option for reducing the overall operation (SUCRA: 99%) and wound closure (SUCRA: 72.3%) duration. Moreover, adhesive strips (AS) had the higher probability of minimizing postoperative pain during the 2nd and 3rd postoperative days. Subcuticular suture (SS) was the most probable method for achieving optimal, long-term, patient-assessed, and surgeon-assessed cosmesis. However, MC had the highest mid and long term, independent-assessed, scar ranking (SUCRA 80.5% and 62.9%). Based on the inconclusive results and the several study limitations, further large-scale RCTs are required.

Early Rupture of Iatrogenic Cystic Artery Pseudoaneurysm After Unsuccessful Laparoscopic Cholecystectomy: A Case Report.

Laparoscopic cholecystectomy has been established as the gold-standard method to deal with symptomatic cholelithiasis and cholecystitis. Although, like any other surgical procedure, it may have complications that affect the mortality and morbidity of patients. More specifically, the cystic artery pseudoaneurysm is considered a rare complication of laparoscopic cholecystectomy, which despite its rarity, may be fatal for the patient. Herein, we present the case of a 67-year-old man with a ruptured iatrogenic cystic artery pseudoaneurysm in the early postoperative period after laparoscopic cholecystectomy that converted to open wherein a cholecystostomy catheter was placed. The patient was hospitalized in our surgical unit, and he was treated with cystic artery embolization initially and secondary with elective open cholecystectomy.

Incomplete Gastric Obstruction Due to Herniation of Stomach Into Parastomal Hernia: A Case Report.

Parastomal hernia is the most common complication after surgical procedures that lead to the creation of a stoma. Most commonly in the hernia sac, there is omentum or small intestine or colon. The presence of the stomach as hernia's content is a rare event. Herein, we present the case of a 68-year-old woman, who was hospitalized in our surgical unit with incomplete gastric obstruction due to herniation of the stomach into a parastomal hernia and who was managed conservatively.