Collagen treatment of complex anorectal fistula: 3 years follow-up.

Fistula in ano is a common anorectal disease in adults. Currently, surgery remains the definitive therapeutic approach, but in some cases, it can lead to serious complications as faecal or gas incontinence. Therefore, sphincter sparing treatments should be considered for complex fistulas. One of the sphincteric preserving treatment is the filling with a dermal extract commonly called "collagen glue" as Salvecoll-E® gel. This is a multicentric, prospective, observational study on the use of Salvecoll-E® gel in treatment of complex anal fistulas. We treated 70 patients from May 2016 to May 2017. In the first phase, we debrided the fistula tract using a loose seton kept for 4-6 weeks. In the second phase, the seton was removed and the fistula tract was filled with Salvecoll-E® gel. In this article, we report results at 36 months of follow-up. Fifty patients (71.4%) had completely healed fistula within 36 months of follow-up. Twenty-eight patients (28.2%) had recurrences. Among these failures, 65% were within 6 months. All low transphincteric fistulas healed. Recurrences occurred only in median and high transphincteric fistulas. No patient had a worsening of continence status measured with Cleveland Clinic Florida Incontinence Severity score. Salvecoll-E® gel is a recent finding among sphincter-sparing treatments. In this study, we demonstrate that it is a safe option in the treatment of complex fistulas. Final results are satisfactory and in line with the best results published in literature among mini-invasive treatments.

Stapled Transanal Rectal Resection (Starr) in the Treatment of Obstructed Defecation: A Systematic Review.

Obstructed defecation syndrome (ODS) is a form of constipation that influences the quality of life in most patients and is an important health care issue. In 2004 Longo introduced a minimal invasive trans-anal approach known as Stapled Trans-Anal Rectal Resection (STARR) in order to correct mechanical disorders such as rectocele or rectal intussusception, two conditions present in more than 90% of patients with ODS. Considering the lack of a common view around ODS and STARR procedure. the aim of our study is to review the literature about preoperative assessment, operative features and outcomes of the STARR technique for the treatment of ODS. We performed a systematic search of literature, between January 2008 and December 2020 and 24 studies were included in this review. The total number of patients treated with STARR procedure was 4,464. In conclusion STARR surgical procedure has been proven to be safe and effective in treating symptoms of ODS and improving patients Quality of Life (QoL) and should be taken in consideration in the context of a holistic and multi modal approach to this complex condition. International guidelines are needed in order to optimize the diagnostic and therapeutic process and to improve outcomes.

Spontaneous rupture of a non-functioning pancreatic neuroendocrine tumor A case report of a rare cause of acute abdomen.

BACKGROUND: Pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors (PNETs) are a group of rare tumors that account for 2% of all pancreatic malignancies, even though their incidence has been increasing over the past 20 years. Most PNETs are sporadic and tend to affect older individuals. Differently from functional tumors, which present with symptoms resulting from the specific hormone being elaborated, non-functioning pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors (NF-PNETs) typically present with symptoms related to local mass effect or metastatic disease. Today, due to the increasing use of abdominal imaging, NFPNETs are frequently discovered incidentally. CASE REPORT: A 32-year-old woman was admitted to our emergency department for worsening upper abdominal pain radiating to the back. Shortly after the admission, shock and peritoneal signs developed. An abdominal computerized tomography scan showed a solid mass (9 x 12 cm) of the pancreatic tail with severe hemoperitomeum. Exploratory laparotomy and subsequent distal splenopancreasectomy were performed for a bleeding tumor. Histopathological report showed a neuroendocrine, well differentiated tumor (G1). The postoperative course was uneventful and the patient was successfully discharged on 10th postoperative day. CONCLUSION: Spontaneous rupture of solid neuroendocrine neoplasms of the pancreas can cause acute abdomen with potentially devastating effects. KEY WORDS: Abdominal pain, acute abdomen, Hemorrhagic shock, Pancreatic neuroendocrine tumor.

Spontaneous rupture of a non-functioning pancreatic neuroendocrine tumor A case report of a rare cause of acute abdomen.

BACKGROUND: Pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors (PNETs) are a group of rare tumors that account for 2% of all pancreatic malignancies, even though their incidence has been increasing over the past 20 years. Most PNETs are sporadic and tend to affect older individuals. Differently from functional tumors, which present with symptoms resulting from the specific hormone being elaborated, non-functioning pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors (NF-PNETs) typically present with symptoms related to local mass effect or metastatic disease. Today, due to the increasing use of abdominal imaging, NFPNETs are frequently discovered incidentally. CASE REPORT: A 32-year-old woman was admitted to our emergency department for worsening upper abdominal pain radiating to the back. Shortly after the admission, shock and peritoneal signs developed. An abdominal computerized tomography scan showed a solid mass (9 x 12 cm) of the pancreatic tail with severe hemoperitomeum. Exploratory laparotomy and subsequent distal splenopancreasectomy were performed for a bleeding tumor. Histopathological report showed a neuroendocrine, well differentiated tumor (G1). The postoperative course was uneventful and the patient was successfully discharged on 10th postoperative day. CONCLUSION: Spontaneous rupture of solid neuroendocrine neoplasms of the pancreas can cause acute abdomen with potentially devastating effects. KEY WORDS: Abdominal pain, acute abdomen, Hemorrhagic shock, Pancreatic neuroendocrine tumor.

Value of colpo-cysto-entero defecography to predict the post operative results in patients with obstructed defecation.

INTRODUCTION: The conventional video colpo-cysto entero defecography describing the morpho- functional imaging features, physiological and pathological of the recto-anal region and pelvic floor . It represents the gold standard examination for the identification and staging of morphological and functional disorders of the recto-anal region and pelvic floor in evacuation dysfunctions. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Between January 2010 to January 2013 88 patients underwent STARR procedure for obstructed defecation syndrome (ODS) caused by single rectocele or internal rectal intussusception. We retrospectively analyzed the collected data,in particular we reviewed the defecography results before surgery. RESULTS: At defecography imaging , 30 patients (34 %) had an anal canal opening between 0 and 5 seconds, 44 (50 %) between 6 and 10 seconds and 14 patients (16 %) over 10 seconds at defecography imaging. The defecography showed an enterocele in 30 patients (34 %) The enterocele was functional in 25 (28,4 %) and stable in 5 (5,6 %) patients. 53 patients have a II° rectocele (60,2 %) and 35 patients a III° rectocele (39,7 %). The average preoperative ODS score was 14 . The average ODS score revaluated at 1 year was 3.1, 4.3 at 3 years an 6,4 after 5 years. The improvement of the ODS score was lower in the subgroup of patients presenting a slow opening of the anal canal (> 10 sec): 7.5 at one year, 9.1 at 3 years and 11 after 5 years follow-up. Also in the subgroup of patients with stable enterocele (5,6 %) the improvement was less evident: 6.7 at 1 year, 8 at 3 years and 9.7 after 5 years follow-up. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION: We have observed that a coexistence of a long opening time of the anal canal and / or the presence of a stable enterocele are factors that significantly reduce the effectiveness of the surgery leading over time to ODS score values close to those present before surgery. In the fisrt case we suggest a pre and post-operative perineal physiotherapy, in the second case a Dougla's platsy KEY WORDS: Defecography, Obstructed defecation syndrome, Rectocele, Recto-anal prolapse.

Anorectal manometry assessment of sphincter relaxation after local-regional anesthesia with posterior perineal block.

INTRODUCTION: Since the 1970s, in the USA, we witnessed a progressive increase of one-day surgical procedures. This attitude soon gained ground in Europe as well. In proctology, this kind of clinical approach has always been limited by the acute sensitivity of the anal- perineal area and by difficulties in attaining a complete sphincter relaxation with local anesthesia. Posterior perineal block seems to be associated with both a good pain control and an effective sphincter relaxation. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Between January 2017 and January 2018, we enrolled in our study 33 patients suffering from hemorrhoidal disease. They were all subjected to posterior perineal block. We measured anal resting pressure and squeeze pressure before and after anesthesia. Measurements where taken 5 minutes before and 15 minutes after the administration of local. RESULTS: We registered an average decrease of 39,2% of resting pressure and of 45,4% of squeeze pressure. CONCLUSIONS: We may state that perineal posterior block, while reducing striated muscle contractile activity, also causes a relevant reduction of anal basal tone. During surgical procedures done under regional anesthesia, we experienced a good sphincter relaxation, which was comparable, if not equal, to that induced by general anesthesia. In fact, 10 to 15 minutes after performing the block you could observe the elevation of the inferior margin of the exterior sphincter and the concomitant descent of the inferior margin of the internal sphincter (coaxial dislocation). KEY WORDS: Anorectal manometry, Anesthesia, Local-regional, Perineal block.

The clinical and therapeutic approach to anal stenosis.

Anal stenosis is a fibrous narrowing of the anal channel. It develops, in most cases, in the aftermath of proctologic surgical procedures with extensive anoderm excision or in the presence of chronic anal inflammation in patients with Crohn Disease. However rare, this condition is thoroughly debilitating for the patients. Symptoms include constipation, pain and bleeding with defecation and a reduction of the caliber of stools. Diagnosis is essentially clinical. Prevention of postsurgical stenosis is based on a scrupulous surgical technique and on an extensive and carefully- planned follow up. Treatment is based on an initially conservative approach with regularization of stool transit through hydration, dietary fibers and bulk-forming laxatives. The role of mechanical dilatation in the treatment of AS is still debated. For severe cases and cases that are not responsive to conservative treatment we must resort to surgery. Surgical approach is tailored on the severity, position and extension. The most severe cases require anoplasty procedures with mucosal or anal flaps. KEY WORDS: Anal stenosis, Anal stricture,Proctology.

Treatment of giant condyloma acuminatum of the anus. State of the art.

Giant condyloma acuminatum (GCA) is a rare cauliflower-like lesion, also known as Buschke-L ewenstein tumor (BLT). Although characterized by benign histological features, the local behavior of GCA is extremely aggressive, showing progressive infiltration of the surrounding structures leading to tissue destruction by compression. As the correlation between HPV and GCA development grew stronger, the majority of the Authors came to the conclusion that HPV can not only cause CA but, associated with particular risk factors, it can lead to much more serious conditions such as BLT. Since the treatment of GCA is still not yet standardized, a very accurate pre-operative analysis of the lesions is required to plan the most suitable treatment approach. Based on current knowledge, macroscopic evaluation of local tumor invasion and extensive radical resection appear to be the only valid therapeutic approach, due to its association with longterm survival and minimal recurrence. Looking forward for new techniques and new tissue sparing treatments, at the moment, GCA can be safely treated with radical excision without immediate tissue reconstruction; long-term complications, such as stricture and stenosis, can be prevented by adequate wound healing and by a particularly intense and long- term follow-up program. KEY WORDS: Anus, Giant condyloma acuminatum.

15 years experience in proctological day-surgery.

INTRODUCTION: The actual high hospitalization costs have encouraged a growing attention towards reducing hospital stay. Nowadays, many simple surgical procedures are carried out in a one-day surgery regimen . A shorter hospital stay brings many advantages for the patients: lesser inconvenience, a lower risk of hospital infection and an earlier return to work. In proctology, day surgery polices are still uncommon because surgeons fear possible complications. In this paper we sum up our 15 years experience, stressing the possibility to perform even complex procedures in local-regional anesthesia and in a day-surgery context. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In our experience, to be candidate to one-day surgery proctological procdures, patients should be classed as ASA I or II. RESULTS: Between 2005 and 2015 our operative unit executed a total of 2688 proctological procedures in a one-day surgery. 1062 procedures have been completed under local anesthesia exclusively and all patients have been discharged between two and three hours after the procedure without significant complications. In the other 1626 patients perineal posterior block was performed in 932 cases (57.3%) and provided an optimal pain control in 51,6% of cases (301 patients) while in 5,7% of cases there was the need for an intravenous administration of Fentanil. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION: Day-surgery is nowadays a concrete reality, made possible by an attentive selection of patients, an accurate surgical technique, an attentive patient monitoring in the postoperative period and a continuous monitoring of the effectiveness of pain medications. Over the last decades our surgical team has developed modified techniques of loco-regional anesthesia that allow us to perform even complex procedures and discharge the patient within 24 hours. KEY WORDS: Day-surgery, Haemorrhoids, Proctological procedures.

Amyand Hernia in an elderly patient.

INTRODUCTION: Inguinal hernia is one of the most common surgical entities and often poses technical dilemmas, even for the experienced surgeon. Amyand's hernia is an inguinal hernia; a protrusion of abdominal cavity content through the inguinal canal, with a vermiform appendix. CASE REPORT: A 77 years old Caucasian male was referred to our institution for the evaluation of a recurrent right inguinal hernia. During the surgery, we discovered a rare type I Amyand hernia. Following the guidelines we performed, a prosthetic tension-free inguinal ernioplasty without appendectomy.The patient was discharged on the first post-operative day. The follow-up at 7 days was uneventful. DISCUSSION: First described by Claudius Amyand (1660-1740), a French born English surgeon, who successfully performed the first reported appendectomy for inflamed appendix encountered during herniotomy on an 11 year-old boy in 1735 at St George's hospital.The incidence of Amyand's hernia is between 1%. The association of appendicitis is even rarer and reported to be around of 0.1%. Losanoff and Basson proposed a classification scheme to determine the surgical management of Amyand's hernia, depending on the status of the appendix KEY WORD: Amyand Hernia, Appendix, Elderly.

Evolution in the surgical management of hemorrhoidal disease.

Hemorrhoidal disease is a very common condition requiring surgical management in approximately 10% of cases. Despite its long history and high prevalence, we are still trying to identify the best treatment. Earlier surgical approaches were soon abandoned and now only detain an historic significance. For long, proctologists have given their preference to hemorrhoidectomy that was gradually perfected through the years. The true innovation came in 1937, with the famous Milligan-Morgan hemorrhoidectomy, still one of the leading interventions for treatment of hemorrhoids. Less fortune encountered alternative techniques, such as the Whitehead hemorrhoidectomy, and closed and semi-closed techniques. Later on, the advent of a new concept of the pathogenesis of hemorrhoidal disease has brought to the development of stapled prolassectomy techniques. This approach has encountered both supporters and detractors between the experts in this field and has received a strong impulse by the emerging trend towards "day-surgery". Today the search for the best surgical technique for hemorrhoidal disease is far from being over and witnesses the introduction of new techniques for hemorrhoidal dissection. The choice of the best strategy remains in the hands of the clinician in the modern conception of tailored surgery. KEY WORD: Hemorrhoidal disease, Hemorrhoidectomy, Milligan-Morgan hemorrhoidectomy.

Day-surgery stapled prolassectomy: a "ten minutes job".

INTRODUCTION: Accordingly with the new physiopathologic insights of the 70s and 80s, hemorrhoidal disease appears to originate not much from venous hyperplasia but rather from a progressive deterioration of connective and support tissues with subsequent venous and mucosal prolapse. In the late 90s a new surgical technique for a more physiological treatment of hemorrhoids was introduced: stapled prolassectomy. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Between October 2017 and June 2018 we performed 50 hemorrhoidal stapled prolassectomies under local-regional anesthesia. All patients were classified as ASA I and were aged between 18 and 65 years. Patients were administered Atropine 1 mg and Flunitrazepam 0,7 mg orally 30 minutes prior to the intervention. A topical anesthetic preparation of Lidocaine and Procaine was also applied. A local anesthesia of the anal and perineal region was performed by the surgeon in the presence of an anesthesiologist. RESULTS: Intraoperative pain control was found to be complete and optimal for the majority of patients (92%). Six of the patients (8%) reported mild pain during the stapling phase but did not require further intervention. A conversion to general anesthesia was never required. Forty-four of the patients (88%) were discharged on the same day of the operation. In four cases (9%) discharge was postponed and patients were kept overnight because of early postoperative complications. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION: Over 20 years after its introduction, stapled prolassectomy has become the allows to gold standard for treating hemorrhoids. This procedure allows for an effective and appropriate treatment of the condition. It preserve the physiology of the anal channel and to reconstruct the correct topographic relationship between anal derma, anal-rectal mucosa, hemorrhoidal plexus and sphincter apparatus . The absence of surgical wounds in the perineal region allows for a reduced stimulation of pain receptors, leading to a less painful post-operatory course and to a reduced risk of long term complications such as stenotizing scarring and soiling .The use of a mechanic stapler leads to higher costs, but they are in part balanced by the possibility of a faster recovery of patients and of an earlier resumption of work activities. The possibility to perform the operation in day surgery may allow for a global reduction health care expenses leaving more resources available for more complex cases. KEY WORDS: Hemorrhoids, Recto-Anal prolapse, Posterior perineal block.

Malignant transformation of a chronic anorectal fistula.

Up to date, only a small number of carcinomas arising from a chronic anorectal fistula have been described in medical literature, especially in patients without Chron's disease. A 72-year-old man with a 6-year history of discharging perianal sinus without Crohn's disease arrived at our institution. He had previously undergone three surgical procedures in other institutions for incision and drainage of recurrent perianal abscesses. Our therapeutical approach was to drain the two abscess cavities, perform a fistulectomy, and biopsy the fistula tissue. Anatomopathological examination of the specimen revealed a mucosecerrnig adenocarcinoma arising from the fistula tract. We decided to perform an abdominal perineal resection. The two-year oncological follow-up is negative. In conclusion, it is clear that the diagnosis of mucinous adenocarcinoma occurring in perianal fistula is difficult, particularly in patients without any risks or predisposing factors. Wide resection of the tumor with Miles's procedure still represents the surgical treatment of choice and may provide a good long term outcome in localized disease KEY WORDS: Cronic anorectal fistula, Malignant transformation, Mucinous adenocarcinoma.

Value and limits of stapled transanal rectal repair for obstructed defecation syndrome: 10 years-experience with 450 cases.

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVE: In the late's 90' a new surgical treatment, the stapled trans-anal rectal resection (STARR) was born to treat obstructed defecation syndrome (ODS). In this study we retrospectively analyze a series of 450 cases that underwent STARR in 10 years. METHODS: Between January 2001 to December 2011, 450 patients, diagnosed with ODS syndrome caused by rectocele or intussusception, underwent to STARR procedure. The presence of rectocele and/or intussusception was verified by dynamic defecography. The preoperative evaluation was completed with anorectal manometry and colonoscopy. Follow-up visits were scheduled 1 week, 1 month, 3 months, 1 years, 3 years and 5 years after surgery. RESULTS: Mean operative time was 30,2 min. In 408 cases (90.7%) hospital discharge occurred 24 hours after surgery. Among postoperative complications urinary retention was observed in 35 patients (7.8%). Five (1.1%) patients presented an early rectal bleeding and 8 (1.8%) patients presented a late bleeding. In 5 (1.1%) patients a stable pelvic hematoma was found. Six (1.3%) patients presented pelvic sepsis due to subperitoneal perforation. An asymptomatic partial dehiscence of stapler row occurred in 19 patients (4.2%).125 patients (27.8%) reported defecation urgency that completely vanished at 3 months follow-up in 83 patients (66,4%) and in further 42 patients (33,6%) at 6-months. The average preoperative ODS score was 14.1; 3.1 at one year; 4.3 at 3 years and 6.4 after five years. CONCLUSIONS: In expert hands, with right indications, STARR procedure is safe with good results in terms of improvement of the ODS score.

"All-in-one mesh" hernioplasty: A new procedure for primary inguinal hernia open repair.

BACKGROUND: We propose a new open mesh hernia repair procedure for the treatment of inguinal hernias in adults aiming to improve patients' comfort and to reduce the incidence of chronic neuralgia. METHODS: From September 2012 to August 2015, 250 consecutive patients were treated with "all in-one" mesh hernioplasty procedure in our Institution. According to the devised technique, a new smaller prosthesis was placed on the floor of the inguinal canal in order to strengthen all areas of weakness from which hernias may originate. The mesh was enveloped by a fibro-cremasteric sheath avoiding contact with neural structures. Follow-up was carried out at 3, 6, 12, 18 and 24 months for evaluation of postoperative pain using Visual Analogue Scale score, need of medication, patients' comfort and short or long-term complications. RESULTS: All patients were discharged within 24 h from surgery. Slight pain was reported by the majority of patients and 47.6% of them did not require pain medication at home. After the 1st postoperative week 96.8% reported no pain and no other symptoms. No relevant limitation of normal activities was reported. There has been no postoperative neuralgia. One recurrence was observed. CONCLUSIONS: This new hernioplasty technique respects the anatomy of the inguinal canal, uses a smaller mesh, and seems to avoid neuralgia with maximum comfort for the patients.

What is this very big skin lesion?

This clinical image shows the importance of the early diagnosis and treatment of any suspicious skin lesion.

Desmoid tumor of the abdominal wall A case report and literature review.

BACKGROUND: Desmoid tumor is a rare soft tissues neoplasia characterized by local invasiveness and by a tendency towards local recurrence although not towards metastasization. DISCUSSION: Etiology is not clear. Desmoid tumors originate from the monoclonal proliferation of one mesenchymal cell and develop in the context of fascial, muscular and aponeurotic tissue. They are free of capsule and do not usually metastatize, although they do present a high risk of local recurrence CONCLUSION: In the absence of a systematic data collection and of a clear distinction, in the existing databases, between primitive and recurrent lesions and between lesions of different sites, there are no standard guidelines for a correct management of desmoids. KEY WORDS: Aggressive fibromatos Desmoid tumor, Soft tissue neoplasia.

Perineal stapled prolapse resection (PSPR) for external rectal prolapse in high morbidity patients.

AIM: To demonstrated the efficacy an safety of a perineal stapled approach to treat the protrusion of the entire layer of the rectum outside the anus in high morbidity patients. MATHERIALS OF STUDY: From February 2012 to april 2013, 7 patients (all female, mean age 74,2 years, range 48-88) were operated in our unit with perineal stapled prolapsed resection (PSPR) approach for a full thickness external rectal prolapse. RESULTS: The duration of hospitalization was 3 days and the follow-up period was 18 months. There were no intraoperative complications and all patients had a bowel movement within 3 days of surgery. There was no mortality. None patients suffered of incontinence. Two patients (28,5%) had a recurrence and proctorragy after 18 months. DISCUSSION: PSPR can be considered among perineal approaches for the treatment of full-thickness rectal prolapse. The reported rate of minor complications is low. No major complications have been described. Functional outcome is good, with marked improvement in both continence and constipation. CONCLUSIONS: These results are better than those reported for other perineal procedures, although no randomized trials have yet been published. A multicenter study is needed to better evaluate the indications for and the outcome AFTER PSP. KEY WORDS: Morbidity patients, Perineal stapled prolapse resection, Rectal prolapse.

Pneumoretroperitoneum and pneumomediastinum after Stapled Anopexy Is conservative treatment possible?

INTRODUCTION: Stapled anopexy is considered the gold standard in treating haemorroidal disease associated to mucosal prolapse, but severe complications have been described. Among these, a minimal anastomotic leakage may lead to gas spreading into surrounding soft tissues. CASE REPORT: We report the case of a 61 year old male who developed pneumoretroperitoneum and pneumomediastinun two days after a Stapled Anopexy. CT scans showed a minimal leakage with no abscess. The patient was successfully treated by bowel rest, antibiotics and total parenteral nutrition, avoiding surgical approach. CONCLUSION: A minimal anastomotic leakage following Stapled Anopexy, when leading to air diffusion into soft tissues and not associated to abscess or peritonitis may be treated conservatively avoiding ileostomy or colostomy. KEY WORDS: Anastomotic leakage, Pneumoretroperitoneum, Stapled Anopexy.

Big anal skin tags? What is this?

A hard and bleeding anal and perianal mass stenotized the anus and required left-sided colostomy. Incisional biopsy showed a moderately differentiated spiniocellular carcinoma. Chemoradiotherapy treatment alone reduced significantly the mass.