Clinical outcomes of surgical management for recurrent rectal prolapse: a multicenter retrospective study

Purpose@#There are few reports on outcomes following surgical repair of recurrent rectal prolapse. The purpose of this study was to examine surgical outcomes for recurrent rectal prolapse. @*Methods@#We conducted a multicenter retrospective study of patients who underwent surgery for recurrent rectal prolapse. This study used data collected by the Korean Anorectal Physiology and Pelvic Floor Disorder Study Group. @*Results@#A total of 166 patients who underwent surgery for recurrent rectal prolapse were registered retrospectively between 2011 and 2016 in 8 referral hospitals. Among them, 153 patients were finally enrolled, excluding 13 patients who were not followed up postoperatively. Median follow-up duration was 40 months (range, 0.2–129.3 months). Methods of surgical repair for recurrent rectal prolapse included perineal approach (n = 96) and abdominal approach (n = 57). Postoperative complications occurred in 16 patients (10.5%). There was no significant difference in complication rate between perineal and abdominal approach groups. While patients who underwent the perineal approach were older and more fragile, patients who underwent the abdominal approach had longer operation time and admission days (P < 0.05). Overall, 29 patients (19.0%) showed re-recurrence after surgery. Among variables, none affected the re-recurrence. @*Conclusion@#For the recurrent rectal prolapse, the perineal approach is used for the old and fragile patients. The postoperative complications and re-recurrence rate between perineal and abdominal approach were not different significantly. No factor including surgical method affected re-recurrence for recurrent rectal prolapse.

Prospective Comparative Analysis of the Incidence of Vasovagal Reaction and the Effect of Rectal Submucosal Lidocaine Injection in Stapled Hemorrhoidopexy: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Purpose@#This study was performed to evaluate the incidence of vasovagal reactions (VVRs) and the efficacy of lidocaine injection for prevention. @*Methods@#One hundred seventeen patients diagnosed with hemorrhoids and scheduled to undergo a stapled hemorrhoidopexy (SH) were randomly divided according to submucosal injection to the rectum: lidocaine group (n = 53, lidocaine injected just before full closure of the stapler) and control group (n = 58). Outcomes included baseline patient characteristics (American Society of Anesthesiologists physical status classification, body mass index, diabetes mellitus, hypertension, and previous VVR history), vital signs during the operation, incidence of VVRs (hypotension, bradycardia, dizziness, diaphoresis, and nausea/vomiting), and postoperative complications (pain, bleeding, and urinary retention). @*Results@#Baseline characteristics were similar between groups. The number of patients with lower abdominal pain after firing the stapler and incidence of dizziness were lower for the lidocaine group than for the control group (9.4% vs. 25.9%, P = 0.017; 0% vs. 8.6%, P = 0.035, respectively). However, there were no significant between-group differences in incidence of nausea and diaphoresis (0% vs. 3.4%, P = 0.172) and syncope (1.9% vs. 3.4%, P = 0.612). Fewer patients in the lidocaine group complained of postoperative pain (41.5% vs. 58.6%, P = 0.072), and these patients used analgesics less frequently than those in the control group (28.3% vs. 36.2%, P = 0.374). @*Conclusion@#Patients who received a submucosal lidocaine injection prior to SH experienced less lower abdominal pain and dizziness compared with those who received standard treatment. A larger, more detailed prospective study is needed for further analysis.

Usefulness of Interferon-Gamma Release Assay for Diagnosis of Tuberculous Fistulae in Ano

PURPOSE: Interferon gamma release assays (QuantiFERON-TB Gold in Tube test [QFT-GIT]); Cellestis Limited, Victoria, Australia) have been studied for diagnosing pulmonary tuberculosis (TB) or latent TB but there have been no reports on the usefulness of this assay in diagnosing tuberculous anal fistula in actual clinical practices. In this study, we evaluated its diagnostic usefulness in patients with suspected tuberculous anal fistula. METHODS: We conducted a retrospective analysis of 119 patients with suspected tuberculous anorectal fistula from May 2007 to May 2009. Diagnosis of tuberculous fistula was concluded by identification of acid-fast bacilli, typical caseating granuloma and successful clinical response to anti-TB chemotherapy. All patients underwent the QFT-GIT and all patients diagnosed with tuberculous anal fistula were analyzed. RESULTS: Of the 119 patients with suspected TB fistula, 51 (43%) patients were classified as having TB fistula, including 31 with confirmed tuberculosis and 20 with probable tuberculosis, and other 68 (57%) were classified as not having tuberculosis. Among the 51 patients with TB fistula, Chronic caseating granuloma, acid-fast bacilli stain, and successful clinical response to anti-TB treatment were positive in 27 (52.9%), 4 (7.8%), and 20 (39.2%), respectively. Of the 51 with TB fistula, 44 had positive QFT-GIT results and 7 had negative results. The sensitivity and specificity of the assay were 86% and 85%, and positive predictive value (PPV) and negative predictive value (NPV) were 81% and 89%, respectively. CONCLUSION: QFT-GIT is a simple, sensitive, and specific method for the diagnosis of clinically highly suspected TB fistula.

Minor Procedures of Hemorrhoids

Hemorrhoids have afflicted man since the dawn of history. They are among the first conditions described as contributing to the discomfort of humans. When we consider over 90 percent of accurately diagnosed, symptomatic hemorrhoids can be treated without an operation, we have to get detailed information on the several techniques of nonsurgical treatment of hemorrhoids. Modern as well as traditional, drugs are being increasingly used in all grades of symptomatic hemorrhoids. Although drugs can reduce edema, relieve pain, and help in thrombosis, they cannot definitively cure hemorrhoids. Several modes of therapy, not involving surgical excision, have been advocated for the treatment of hemorrhoid patients. These include injection sclerotherapy, cryotherapy, rubber band ligation, infrared photocoagulation, and diathermy. The mechanisms are principally the same, irrespective of which is chosen, as all function ablatively by thrombosis, sclerosis, or necrosis of a part of the internal portion of the hemorrhoidal complex and thereby decrease the volume of the cushions, possibly fixating them in the distal rectum. Usually, rubber band ligation is considered the first treatment for first- to third- degree hemorrhoids, and a hemorrhoidectomy should be reserved for those failing to respond to a ligature procedure. Recently, new treatment modalities for hemorrhoids, such as radiofrequency or hemorrhoidal artery ligation, have been developed to treat symptomatic hemorrhoids. We can choose suitable procedures according to the degree of the hemorrhoids.

A case of hyereosinophilic syndrome with exudative pleural effusion / 대한내과학회지

Hypereosinophilic syndrome, the disease with continuous over production of eosinophil from bone marrow without any identifiable underlying disorder, causes various symptoms or signs by infiltrating organs. As many as 28,780/mm3 eosinophils in peripheral blood, the eosinophilic hyperplasia in bone marrow and features of hepatic involvement -revealed elevated serum AST, ALT and ultrasonogram of abdomen showed the multiple nodules scattered throughout the liver, we have reached to make a diagnosis of the rare hyper eosinophilic syndrome carrying the eosinophil-rich exudate in pleural effusion. The patient showed improvement of clinical symptoms with oral administration of predinisolone, and we report this case with literature consideration.

Effectiveness of Single-dose Sodium Phosphate on Bowel Preparation / 대한소화기내시경학회지

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Oral sodium phosphate has been shown to be effective and safe but causes intravascular volume contraction, changes in serum calcium and phopshate level, and sleep disturbance when given two doses every 12 hours. Because the evening dose is inconvenient for many patients, we gave single morning dose, and compared it with conventional 12-hour-split dose. METHODS: Sixty one patients drank 90 mL of sodium phosphate at 7:00 AM and 58 patients drank 45 mL of sodium phosphate at 7:00 PM and 7:00 AM respectively. RESULTS: There was no statistical difference in bowel cleansing between two groups (p=0.871). There was no significant difference in patient's tolerance and symptoms between two groups except sleep deprivation which was more frequent in the split dose group. None of the patients complained of postural dizziness or presyncope in both groups. Serum phosphate levels were increased and serum calcium levels were decreased after preparation in both groups, but patients showed no significant clinical symptoms such as tetany. CONCLUSION: This study suggests that giving a single morning dose of sodium phosphate is effective, well tolerated and safe in most patients for precolonoscopic cleansing, compared to conventional split dose of 12-hour interval.

Three cases of isolated rectal tuberculosis / 대한내과학회지

Isolated rectal tuberculosis commonly involves sigmoid, ascending, or transverse colon. Rectal involvement in tuberculosis is uncommon and poorly characterized. Isolated rectal tuberculosis was defined as focal lesions of rectum in the abscence of demonstrable lesions in the small and large bowel. Diagnosis of rectal tuberculosis was based on characteristic endoscopic appearance of lesions, histopathologic feature of tuberculosis in biopsy material and response to antitubercular therapy. Three patients with isolated rectal tuberculosis were seen at Kwak's hospital. The lesions observed was classified according to macroscopic morphology as follows: ulcerative, hypertrophic and ulcero-hypertrophic. Clinical manifestations were non-specific and consists of rectal bleeding, fever, weight loss, constipation and abdominal pain. One of the three patients had coexisting tuberculous pleurisy. Response to antitubercular chemotherapy was good.

Benign Anal Diseases on Patients with HIV Disease

PURPOSE: The number of patients with HIV disease has been increasing rapidly, with anorectal discomfort being the most common complaint of these patients. However, there are no data on HIV disease relating to the benign anorectal area in Koreans. METHODS: A retrospective chart review was performed on patients diagnosed with benign anal diseases, combined with HIV disease, between 1996 and 2001. Their clinical aspects were compared with HIV patients registered with the National Institute of Health in Korea between 1985 and 2001. RESULTS: A total of 1,613 patients were registered, with the National Institute of Health in Korea, as having HIV disease. The ratio of sex was 7.2:1, with a male predominance. The disease was most common in the 3rd & 4th decades, with 64.2%, of the patients in this age range. As for the routes of transmission, sexual contact was the most common (96.9%), followed by blood transfusion (including blood products) (2.8%), vertical transmission (0.1%) and drug injection (0.1%). With regard to the sexual contact routes, homosexuality accounted for 28.0%. Of the cases of HIV disease presenting with a benign anal disease, 32 patients, with a sex ratio of 31:1, with an overwhelming male predominance, were selected. Twenty-six cases had been newly diagnosed at our hospital. As for the routes of the transmission, the disease had been transmitted by sexual contact in all cases. In 43.8% of these cases, the disease had been transmitted by homosexual contact, which showed a marked difference to that of the National database (P<0.05). For those associated with an anal diseases, there were 10 cases of anal fistula, 9 of perianal abscess, 7 of condyloma acuminata, 7 of anal fissure, 5 of hemorrhoids and 2 of ulceration on the lower rectum, noted. CONCLUSIONS: Nowadays, the numbers of anorectal-disease patients with HIV are increasing in Korea. Since HIV is common in the area of benign proctology, all proctologists must consider the possibility of HIV when managing patients.

Analysis of Factors Influencing Secondary Bleeding after Hemorrhoidectomy

PURPOSE: Secondary bleeding is an inevitable and a troublesome complication of hemorrhoidectomy. This study analyzed the factors related to secondary bleeding after hemorrhoidectomy. METHODS: A total of 14,062 patients received a hemorrhoidectomy from Apr. 1999 to Apr. 2001. A retrospective study of 83 patients with secondary bleeding was done. At first, the doctors were divided into two groups. In one group, each doctor had performed more than 500 hemorrhoidectomies; in the other groups, each doctor had performed less than 500 hemorrhoidectomies. The incidence of secondary bleeding of the two groups was compared. Then, 155 patients without secondary bleeding were randomly selected as a control group. Clinical aspects and laboratory data were compared with those of the bleeding group. RESULTS: The total incidence of secondary bleeding was 0.6%. The incidence for the group with experienced doctors was 0.5%, that for the other group was 1.3%. When bleeding patients were compared with the control group, the proportion of patients who received a blood transfusion within 1 week before operation was 12.1% in the bleeding group and 2.6% in the control group. The postoperative WBC count was increased more in the bleeding group. The percentage treated with metronidazole was 12% compared with 25.3% in the control group. The incidences of bleeding according to operation sites were 19.6% in the right anterior, 12.2% in the left lateral, 10.9% in the right posterior, and 8.4% in the posterior portion. CONCLUSIONS: Secondary bleeding after a hemorrhoidectomy is more prevalent with less experienced doctors, recent history of blood transfusion, less use of metronidazole, and specific location of the hemorrhoid, such as the right anterior and the left lateral site of the hemorrhoid pile.

A Case of Granular Cell Tumor in the Perianal Region

Since granular cell tumor was first described by Abrikossoff in 1926, it has been known as a rare disease. The histogenesis of this tumor is still controversial, but the origin is thought to be from a Schwann cell. About one third of the tumors occur in the tongue, and uncommonly in the perianal region. We report a case of granular cell tumor that developed in the perianal region. The tumor grew slowly for 5 years and was removed by a local excision. This tumor showed positive staining with neuron-specific enolase (NSE).

Clinical Aspects and Surgical Methods in Perianal Hidradenitis Suppurativa

PURPOSE: Hidradenitis suppurativa is a chronic suppurative and cicatricial inflammatory disease involving apocrine gland- bearing areas including the axilla, groin, and anogenital regions. Recurrence after surgery is not rare, and there is much debate about operative methods. This study analyzed the clinical characteristics and the relationship between different surgical methods and recurrences of perianal hidradenitis suppurativa. METHODS: A retrospective study of 20 patients with perianal hidradenitis suppurativa was done. The clinical characteristics were examined. The patients were divided into several groups (acute, chronic regional, chronic extensive) according to lesion status; then, different operative methods and recurrence rates were compared. RESULTS: All of the patients were male smokers. The mean age of onset was 28.4 years. The mean duration of disease was 10 years. The total number of operations, including incision and drainage, was 29 cases. Only 4 patients were overweight or obese. The most common symptom was pus discharge (52%). The recurrence rate after final surgery was 30.0%. After incision and drainage in the acute group, 7 of 8 cases (87.5%) recurred. In the chronic regional group, 5 of 9 cases (55.6%) experienced recurrence after excision and primary repair. After excision and healing by secondary intention, 1 of 7 cases (14.3%) had recurrence. In the case of one unroofing and marsupialization, there was no recurrence. In the chronic extensive group, 1 recurrence was noted in 4 unroofings and marsupializations. CONCLUSIONS: In the case of abscess, proper incision and drainage is needed, but further definitive surgery must be done. In the case of chronic disease, if the lesions are regional, excision and healing by secondary intention is more ideal for decreasing the recurrence rate. If the lesions are extensive, unroofing and marsupialization is recom-mended.

Topical Glyceryl Trinitrate (GTN) Versus Conservative Treatment (CT) in Chronic Anal Fissure: Prospective and Randomized Study

PURPOSE: This study was designed to compare the effect of treatment using glyceryl trinitrate (GTN) ointment with that of conservative treatment (CT) on chronic anal fissure. METHODS: As a preliminary study, maximal resting pressures of the anal canal were checked in 13 patients having chronic anal fissure before and 10 minutes after application of 0.2% GTN ointment. As the study groups, 59 patients having chronic anal fissure were randomly allocated to the GTN and the placebo groups. All the patients in both groups were given oral analgesics, sedatives, and bulk-forming agents. They had applied 0.2% GTN ointment or a placebo ointment three times a day to their perianal skin. Maximal resting pressures of the anal canal were checked at the beginning and at the endpoint of the treatment period which continued for 6 weeks. If there was complete healing of the fissure in the middle of the treatment, the treatment was stopped. Sixteen patients were lost during the study. RESULTS: Among the rest, 22 and 21 patients were included in the GTN group and the placebo group, respectively. The maximal resting pressure decreased significantly in all groups (p0.05). CONCLUSION: The effect of GTN on the symptomatic relief and results of treatment in patients having chronic anal fissure is not superior to that of conservative treatment.

Rectal Carcinoid: Effectiveness of Endoscopic Resection

PURPOSE: Small-sized carcinoids, less than 1 cm, are easily detected using flexible sigmoidoscopy or total colonoscopy and can be treated by local excision. Recently, there has been many advances in the technique of endoscopic resection. The aim of this study was to determine the endoscopic findings of a rectal carcinoid and to evaluate the effectiveness of endoscopic resection. METHODS: We experienced 22 rectal carcinoids in 21 patients who were treated by endoscopic resection from June 1996 to February 1999. Nineteen cases were followed for an average of 21 months. Follow-up studies consisted of chest P-A, hepatic ultrasonography, and total colonoscopy. RESULTS: The male-to-female ratio was 1.6 to 1. The most common age group was the 4th decade. The tumor was located at the lower rectum in 10 patients, at the upper rectum in 10 patients, and at the rectosigmoid junction in 2 patients. The tumor sizes ranged from 3 to 12 mm in diameter and were smaller than 10 mm in 20 cases (90.1%). Endoscopic finding revealed that the tumors were covered by a normally appearing mucosa in 12 cases, were yellow-discolored polyps in 17 cases, and were sessile-type tumors in 19 cases. The method of treatment was an endoscopic mucosal resection (EMR, 14 cases) or a snare polypectomy (8 cases). Microscopically positive margins were noticed in four cases, two cases of EMR (2/14, 14%) and two cases of snare polypectomy (2/8, 25%). All the patients were alive and clinically free of disease; however, the duration of the follow-up is short. CONCLUSIONS: Endoscopic resection for rectal carcinoid tumors smaller than 1 cm in diameter is a safe, functional, time-saving, and effective treatment. If the tumor suggests a carcinoid, EMR is advised rather than a polypectomy even though the tumor is small. Microscopically positive margins are not absolute indications for further surgery in the treatment of carcinoids smaller than 1 cm in diameter. It is much more important for an endoscopist to be confident that the endoscopic resection is done completely. It is necessary to identify the factors influencing the malignancy potential and to have a longer follow-up.

Repair of Rectovaginal Fistulas

Thirteen women with rectovaginal fistulas unrelated to inflammatory bowel disease or previous radiotherapy were operated on during Jan. 1993 - Jul. 1997 at Song-Do Colorectal Hospital. The mean age was 36.9 (range, 25~56) years. The mean follow-up after operation was 33 (range, 8~62) months. The etiology of the fistula in the majority of patients was obstetric injury and operative trauma (10/13). Seven patients were referred after attempts at repair elsewhere. Eleven patients were managed with a mucosal flap advancement and a 3-layered repair of the rectovaginal septum: 4 without and 7 with a perineal body reconstruction or sphincter repair. Two patients were managed with a mucosal flap advancement only without a repair of rectovaginal septum. In all cases, a concomitant colostomy was not performed. Postoperative complications were noticed in 3 of the patients managed by a mucosal flap advancement and 3-layered repair of the rectovaginal septum with perineal body reconstruction or sphincter repair and all were perineal wound infections. All of these infections were cured, without recurrence, by simple rubber seton drainage. Recurrence occurred in one case managed by a mucosal flap advancement only. Three patients with liquid incontinence became continent after a sphincter reconstruction. We conclude that most rectovaginal fistulas unrelated to inflammatory bowel disease or previous radiotherapy can be managed with a mucosal flap advancement and 3-layered reconstruction of the rectovaginal septum. If any signs or symptoms of sphincter injury are noticed preoperatively while taking the patient's history or during manometry and endorectal ultrasonography, a perineal body reconstruction or sphincter repair should be performed.

Endoscopic Mucosal Resection and Its Clinical

PURPOSE: Endoscopic mucosal resection (EMR) or endoscopic piecemeal mucosal resection (EPMR) is a useful method for treating benign neoplastic lesions and selected cases of early colorectal cancers, especially those cancers with flat or depressed shapes. However, clinical data concerning EMR or EPMR are still lacking. Accordingly, we designed this study to review and analyze our cases for more information and in order to achieve more adequate and prudential application. METHODS: We performed 2609 colonoscopic polypectomies from January 1997 to December 1998. Among those, 77 lesions (3.0%) were treated by using the EMR or the EPMR technique. We analyzed those 77 lesions with special reference to size, configuration, and histologic diagnosis. RESULTS: The most common age group was the 5th decade. The male-to-female ratio was 1.75:1. The most common sites of the lesions were the rectum and the sigmoid colon. Most of the lesions were equal to or smaller than 15 mm in size (97.4%). Flat, elevated lesions were the most common type (39%), followed by sessile (31.2%) and depressed (18.2%) lesions in order. Adenomas and adenocarcinomas accounted for 51.9% (40/77) of the lesions and the malignancy rate was 9.1% (7/77). Three were submucosal cancers. Seventy-one percent of the carcinomas were less than 10 mm in size, and the only submucosal cancer was below 5 mm in size and was a depressed lesion. Carcinoid tumors accounted for 15.6% of the lesions, and chronic nonspecific inflammation for 9.1%. An EPMR was performed on 4 lesions which were larger than 10 mm. There were no complications such as bleeding, perforation, or recurrence. CONCLUSIONS: EMR and EPMR are useful endoscopic resection techniques, especially for sessile, flat, and depressed neoplastic lesions. Lesions up to 15~20 mm in size are good candidates for EMR and those up to 40 mm for EPMR. At the same time, a carefully performed procedure is mandatory to prevent recurrence or complications such as bleeding or perforation.

Submucosal Invasive Cancer in the Colon / 대한소화기내시경학회지

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: A superficially invasive cancer in the colon is considered a candidate for an endoscopic resection. Therefore, detecting a superficially invasive cancer and differentiating it from a massively invasive cancer is an important key in selecting proper treatment. In order to accomplish this purpose, exact knowledge of the characteristics of submucosal invasive cancers is required. In this study, attempts to define those endoscopic features and draw guidelines for treatment were made. METHODS: Recently, 23 submucosal invasive cancers were experienced. All of them were detected by an endoscopic examination, and were treated by endoscopic therapy and/or surgical resection. These cancers were reviewed and analyzed with emphasis on size, configuration, differentiation, and treatment. RESULTS: The most common sizes ranged from 10 mm to 19 mm (47.8%). There were two minute lesions below 5 mm. The most common type of lesions was sessile (43.5%). Most lesions showed redness and 60.9% showed hardness. Many cases had characteristic features such as nodules (47.8%), bleeding easily upon touch (39.1%), erosion (39.1%), and white spots (34.8%). Other characteristic features were expanded figures, depressions, and mucosal convergence. Moderately-differentiated adenocarcinomas were predominant (8/15, 53.3%), and there were four polypoid cancers (4/17, 23.5%). In 43.5% of the lesions, only endoscopic treatment was enough. Forty-four percent of all patients treated endoscopically needed additional surgical resections because of uncertainty with respect to complete excision of the cancer and/or a poorly-differentiated adenocarcinoma with lymphatic invasion. There was no lymph node metastasis in any of the patients who underwent surgical resections, and three of them had no residual tumors, as the endoscopic treatment had completely excised the cancer. CONCLUSIONS: Accurate information on submucosal invasive cancers and recognition of the endoscopic characteristics of submucosal invasive cancers are necessary for their detection and management in an early stage. Moreover, it is possible to differentiate superficially invasive cancers from massively invasive ones by their characteristic features. Therefore, in selected patients with superficially invasive cancers, surgical resections can be avoided.