Rectal perforation during defecography: extraluminal barium impaction removed by TEM (Transanal Endoscopic Microsurgery).

AIM: Defecography is the standard diagnostic technique for the diagnosis of functional disorders of the posterior pelvic compartment. However it has some limits as radiation exposure, low-contrast resolution, some degrees of embarrassment and discomfort for the patients. Furthermore it often fails to directly visualize the changes that affect the pararectal space. Here we present a never described case of rectal perforation after defecography with barium impaction removed by TEM (Transanal Endoscopic Microsurgery). CASE REPORT: We present a case of a 50 years old woman with extraluminal barium impaction due to perforation occurred during defecography. Both pelvic MR and endoanal ultrasound confirmed the presence of the extramural rectal mass below rectal mucosa. It was completely and safely removed using transanal endoscopic microsurgery (TEM). RESULTS: The barium impaction has been radically removed using transanal endoscopic microsurgery. The post-operative period was uneventful and the patient was discharged 3 days after the operation. She is asymptomatic after 6 months from surgery. CONCLUSION: Defecography is not completely safe and its use must be indicated only in selected cases. When a patient has complications during or after this investigation he must be referred to a specialistic centre where a tailored treatment can be performed. It is mandatory that the indication for defecography and other diagnostic functional investigations is given by a colorectal specialist KEY WORD: Barium Impaction, Defecography, Rectal Perforation, TEM (Transanal Endoscopic Microsurgery).

Delayed Coloanal Anastomosis for rectovaginal fistula after colorectal resection for deep endometriosis.

AIM: The deep infiltrating endometriosis, defined as a subperitoneal infiltration of endometrial implants of ≥ 5 mm involving not only the colorectal tract but also rectovaginal septum, vagina and bladder often requires a challenging surgery. Endometriosis nodes of the rectovaginal septum, if symptomatic, need a resection of the involved colorectal tract with colorectal or coloanal anastomosis. Unfortunately in these cases is not uncommon the possibility of a postoperative rectovaginal fistula (RVF), caused by the weakness of the septum that must be skeletonized to completely remove the endometriosis nodes. Here we present a case of anastomotic leakage with high RVF after colorectal resection and low colorectal anastomosis for deep endometriosis in which, for a chronic pelvic sepsis and a high risk of failure of a new immediate coloanal anastomosis, a Turnbull-Cutait pull-through with delayed coloanal anastomosis (DCAA) has been performed. CASE REPORT: A now 34 years old woman was admitted to our Clinic because of a RVF due to recto-sigmoid resection with colorectal anastomosis for endometriosis. An evaluation in anesthesia confirmed the RVF. In this case we avoided an immediate new colorectal anastomosis for the high risk of a recurrent anastomotic leakage and performed a DCAA. RESULTS: The outcome of the two-steps operation has been satisfactory both for the healing of the RVF and for the functional results bringing the young patient to a completely restored social, sexual and working life. CONCLUSIONS: In our opinion Turnbull-Cutait pull-through with delayed coloanal anastomosis is a good choice in patients with RVF in which a new colorectal or coloanal anastomosis can bring to a recurrent leakage. KEY WORDS: Delayed coloanal anastomosis, Deep endometriosis, Rectovaginal fistula.

Polypoid anal melanoma. A case report and review of the literature.

INTRODUCTION: Ano-rectal melanoma is an uncommon finding in patients complaining of rectal bleeding and/or anal mass often misinterpreted as a haemorroidal pile. CASE REPORT: A 55-years-old woman, complaining of rectal bleeding, frequent anal pain and anal mass suspected for haemorroidal thrombosis was referred for evaluation and possible treatment. A brown polypoid mass arising from the anal canal/lower rectum with a maximum diameter of 6 cm was diagnosed. The hystological examination of the neoplasm, transanally removed, revealed the presence of a polypoid melanoma partially involving the resection margin. Nor metastases nor limph-node involvement were found at the total-body CT scan and at a CT-PET. C-KIT examination was negative. Multidisciplinary evaluation recommended an abdominoperineal resection followed by an adjuvant chemotherapy as the only possible salvage treatment. To date the patient has refused it. DISCUSSION: The delay in the diagnosis of an anal melanoma is well-known, bringing frequently to treat advanced stages of the disease that to date has no clear guidelines for the treatment. KEY WORDS: Ano-rectal melanoma, Mucosal melanoma, Rectal bleeding.

The effect of sacral nerve modulation on cerebral evoked potential latency in fecal incontinence and constipation.

OBJECTIVE: Influence of sacral nerve modulation (SNM) on cerebral somatosensory evoked potentials (SEP) was determined in patients with incontinence and constipation. BACKGROUND: Selection of patients with incontinence and constipation for SNM could be improved. METHODS: The latency (ms) of SEP induced by pudendal nerve stimulation was compared before (T0) and at 1 month during peripheral nerve evaluation (PNE) of SNM at frequencies of 21 Hz (T1) and 40 Hz (T2). The results were correlated with clinical outcome at 6 months. RESULTS: In 16 of 23 incontinent patients with clinical "success" from SNM (Wexner incontinence score ≤7), there was a significant difference between P40 latency at T0 and T2 (38.81 vs. 37.49 ms, P = 0.049). In the 7 with "failure," there was no change between T0 and T2. In 12 of 19 constipated patients with "success" (Wexner constipation score ≤15), there was no difference between T0 and T2 P40 latency (39.28 vs. 38.25 ms, P = 0.374). In the 7 with "failure," there was a significant fall in P40 latency (41.20 vs. 39.30 ms, P = 0.047) but not to the normal range. The T0 P40 latency in incontinent patients having "success" was significantly higher than in the normal range (P = 0.044). In constipated patients it was significantly higher than in the normal range in both those with "success" (P = 0.001) and "failure" (P = 0.022). CONCLUSIONS: Measurement of P40 latency of SEP at baseline and at 1 month of SNM at a frequency of 40 Hz may help to predict the outcome of SNM and thus influence the decision for permanent implantation for patients with incontinence and constipation.

Recurrent caecal volvulus in mesenterium commune. A case report.

We report a case of recurrent abdominal pain due to intermittent caecal volvulus arising in a patient with mesenterium commune. Colonic enema, abdominal CT scan and virtual colonography with three-dimensional colonic reconstruction were useful for detecting this rare abnormal intestinal fixation. Although right hemicolectomy was indicated, we performed a wide colonic resection from the terminal ileum to the distal sigmoid because the patient's short mesentery made it impossible to perform an ileum-transverse anastomosis. At six months follow-up, the patient was in good health and free of abdominal symptoms.