Vitamin D3 Supplementation Promotes Regulatory T-Cells to Maintain Immune Homeostasis After Surgery for Early Stages of Colorectal Cancer.

BACKGROUND/AIM: Vitamin D3 (VD3) affects the regulation of the immune system, including the differentiation and function of regulatory T-cells (Tregs). Tregs play an important role in maintaining immune homeostasis in patients with colorectal cancer (CRC). The effects of VD3 on Treg-associated immune function were investigated in Thai patients in the early stages of CRC. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Twenty-eight patients were randomized to one of two groups: Untreated or treatment with VD3 for 3 months. Whole blood samples were collected at baseline, and at 1 and 3 months. Peripheral blood mononuclear cells were isolated and the populations of forkhead box P3-positive Treg cells was analyzed by flow cytometry. The levels of Treg-associated cytokines, interleukin 10 (IL-10) and transforming growth factor beta 1 (TGF-ß1), were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays. RESULTS: Serum VD3 levels of the VD3-treated group were significantly increased at 1 (p=0.017) and 3 months (p<0.001) compared to the untreated control group. The mean percentage of Tregs was maintained between 1 and 3 months in the VD3-treated group. At 3 months, the untreated group had significantly lower Treg levels than the VD3-treated group (p=0.043). Serum IL-10 levels of the VD3-treated group were statistically increased at 1 month compared to the control group (p=0.032). No significant difference in serum TGF-ß1 levels was observed between the two groups. However, the TGF-ß1 level in the VD3-treated group at 1 month was lower than that of the control. CONCLUSION: Our findings suggest that VD3 supplementation can maintain immune responses in the early stages of CRC, helping to control Treg function. Therefore, VD3 should be supplemented to maintain immune homeostasis, especially in patients with vitamin D deficiency.

Intersphincteric Exploration With Ligation of Intersphincteric Fistula Tract or Attempted Closure of Internal Opening for Acute Anorectal Abscesses.

BACKGROUND: Acute anorectal abscesses of cryptoglandular origin are commonly managed by incision and drainage, which results in fistula development in up to 73% of cases, requiring subsequent definitive fistula surgery. However, given that fistula tracts may already be present at the initial presentation, primary closure of the tract as secondary prevention of fistula formation, using ligation of intersphincteric fistula tract, may be useful. OBJECTIVE: This study aims to examine the feasibility and outcomes of performing intersphincteric exploration with ligation of intersphincteric fistula tract or attempted closure of internal opening for acute anorectal abscesses. DESIGN: This is a retrospective study of patients with acute anorectal cryptoglandular abscesses who underwent surgery between January 2014 and December 2016. SETTINGS: The patients were treated at a tertiary referral center in Thailand. PATIENTS: Eighty-six patients with acute anorectal abscesses without previous surgery were included. INTERVENTIONS: Intersphincteric dissection was performed. Further surgical intervention was dependent on the intersphincteric findings. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE: The main outcome measure was the 90-day healed rate. RESULTS: Of the 86 patients, 3 had low intersphincteric abscesses, 26 had low transsphincteric abscesses, 25 had anterior high transsphincteric abscesses, 27 had posterior high transsphincteric abscesses, and 5 had high intersphincteric abscesses. Ligation of intersphincteric fistula tract was successfully performed in 66 patients with an identifiable intersphincteric tract. Intersphincteric exploration with attempted closure of the internal opening was performed in the remaining 20 patients. The success rates were 86% and 70%. Unidentified internal opening and intersphincteric pathology were risk factors for nonhealing. No patients reported fecal incontinence postoperatively. LIMITATIONS: The limitation of this study is its retrospective nature and that all operations were performed by a single surgeon; therefore, the results may vary according to the individual surgeon's expertise. CONCLUSIONS: Fistula tract formation was found in most cases of acute anorectal abscesses. Definitive surgery using this strategy provides promising results. See Video Abstract at http://links.lww.com/DCR/B451. EXPLORACIN INTERESFINTRICA CON LIGADURA DEL TRAYECTO EN LA FSTULA INTERESFINTRICA O INTENTO DE CIERRE DEL ORIFICIO INTERNO EN ABSCESOS ANORRECTALES AGUDOS: ANTECEDENTES:Los abscesos anorrectales agudos de origen criptoglandular, comúnmente se manejan mediante incisión y drenaje, lo que resulta en el desarrollo de una fístula hasta en un 73% de los casos, requiriendo posteriormente cirugía definitiva de la fístula. Sin embargo, dado que los trayectos de la fístula ya pueden estar inicialmente presentes, puede ser útil el cierre primario del trayecto, como prevención secundaria en la formación de la fístula, mediante la ligadura del trayecto de la fístula interesfintérica.OBJETIVO:El estudio tiene como objetivo, examinar la viabilidad y los resultados en realizar exploración interesfintérica, con ligadura del trayecto de fístula interesfintérica o intento de cierre del orificio interno para abscesos anorrectales agudos.DISEÑO:Se trata de un estudio retrospectivo de pacientes con abscesos criptoglandulares anorrectales agudos, que fueron operados entre enero de 2014 y diciembre de 2016.AJUSTES:Los pacientes fueron tratados en un centro de referencia terciario en Tailandia.PACIENTES:Se incluyeron 86 pacientes con abscesos anorrectales agudos, sin cirugía previa.INTERVENCIONES:Se realizó disección interesfintérica. La intervención quirúrgica adicional dependió de los hallazgos interesfintéricos.PRINCIPALES MEDIDAS DE RESULTADO:La principal medida de resultado, fue la tasa de cicatrización a 90 días.RESULTADOS:De los 86 pacientes, hubo 3 abscesos interesfintéricos bajos, 26 abscesos transesfintéricos bajos, 25 abscesos transesfintéricos anteriores altos, 27 abscesos transesfintéricos posteriores altos y 5 abscesos interesfintéricos altos. La ligadura del tracto de la fístula interesfintérica, con tracto interesfintérico identificable, se realizó con éxito en 66 pacientes. Se realizó exploración interesfintérica, con intento de cierre del orificio interno en los 20 pacientes restantes. Las tasas de éxito fueron 86% y 70% respectivamente. Orificio interno no identificado y patología interesfintérica, fueron factores de riesgo para la falta de cicatrización. Ningún paciente reportó incontinencia fecal posoperatoria.LIMITACIONES:La limitación de este estudio, es su naturaleza retrospectiva y que todas las operaciones fueron realizadas por un solo cirujano, por lo tanto, los resultados pueden variar según la experiencia de cada cirujano.CONCLUSIONES:En la mayoría de los casos de abscesos anorrectales agudos, se encontró formación de trayectos fistulosos. La cirugía definitiva con esta estrategia, proporciona resultados prometedores. Consulte Video Resumen en http://links.lww.com/DCR/B451.

Anatomical Variations of Iliac Vein Tributaries and Their Clinical Implications During Complex Pelvic Surgeries.

BACKGROUND: During high sacrectomies and lateral pelvic compartment exenterations, isolating the external and internal iliac veins within the presacral area is crucial to avoid inadvertent injury and severe hemorrhage. Anatomical variations of external iliac vein tributaries have not been previously described, whereas multiple classifications of internal iliac vein tributaries exist. OBJECTIVE: We sought to clarify the iliac venous system anatomy using soft-embalmed cadavers. DESIGN: This is a descriptive study. SETTINGS: This study was conducted in Chulalongkorn University, Thailand. PATIENTS: We examined 40 iliac venous systems from 20 human cadavers (10 males, 10 females). INTERVENTIONS: Blue resin dye infused into the inferior vena cava highlighted the iliac venous system, which was meticulously dissected and traced to their draining organs. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Iliac vein tributaries and their valvular system were documented and analyzed. RESULTS: The external iliac vein classically receives 2 tributaries (inferior epigastric and deep circumflex iliac) near the inguinal ligament. However, external iliac vein tributaries in the presacral area were found in 20 venous systems among 15 cadavers (75%). The mean diameter of each tributary was 4.0 ± 0.35 mm, with 72% arising laterally. We propose a simplified classification for internal iliac vein variations: pattern 1 in 12 cadavers (60%) where a single internal iliac vein joins a single external iliac vein to drain into the common iliac vein; pattern 2 in 7 cadavers (35%) where the internal iliac vein is duplicated; and pattern 3 in 1 cadaver (5%) where bilateral internal iliac veins drain into a common trunk before joining the common iliac vein bifurcation. LIMITATIONS: This study is limited by the number of cadavers included. CONCLUSIONS: A comprehensive understanding of previously unreported highly prevalent external iliac vein tributaries in the presacral region is vital during complex pelvic surgery. A simplified classification of internal iliac vein variations is proposed. See Video Abstract at http://links.lww.com/DCR/A900.

Effects of preoperative endoanal ultrasound on functional outcome after anal fistula surgery.

OBJECTIVE: Endoanal ultrasound (EAUS) is a recommended preoperative investigation for fistula-in-ano (FiA) which aims to provide the best chance of healing and preservation of continence function. This study aims are (1) to assess effect of EAUS on functional outcome and (2) to determine factors associated with clinical outcomes after FiA surgery. DESIGN: Retrospective analysis of subjects with cryptogenic FiA between January 2011 and December 2016, in a tertiary hospital, was performed by comparing EAUS and no-EAUS groups. Postoperative change in St. Mark's faecal incontinence severity score (cFISS=FISS at 6 months after surgery-FISS before surgery) were compared. General linear model was used to determine factors associated with cFISS. Binary logistic regression was used to assess factors related to clinical outcomes. A p-value of <0.05 is considered significant. RESULTS: We enrolled 339 subjects; 109 (M:F 91:18, mean age 41.7±13.6 years) of 115 in EAUS group and 230 in no-EAUS group (M:F 195:35, mean age 42.6±13.0 years). There were higher proportions of recurrent cases (24.8% vs 13.9%, p=0.014) and complex FiA (80.7% vs 50.4%, p=0.001) in EAUS group. Postoperative FISS (mean±SE) were increased in both groups; preoperative versus postoperative FISS were 0.36±0.20 versus 0.59±0.25 in EAUS group (p=0.056) and 0.31±0.12 versus 0.76±0.17 in no-EAUS group (p<0.001). EAUS had significant effects on cFISS in both univariate analysis, F(1,261)=4.053, p=0.045; and multivariate analysis, F(3,322)=3.147, p=0.025, Wilk's Lambda 0.972. Other associated factors included recurrent fistula (F(3,322)=0.777, p=0.007, Wilk's Lambda 0.993) and fistula classification (F(3,322)=16.978, p<0.001, Wilk's Lambda 0.863). After a mean follow-up of 33.6±28.6 weeks, success rate was 63.3%(EAUS) and 60% (no-EAUS), p=0.822. Factors associated with clinical outcomes were fistula complexity, number of tracts, recurrence, number of previous surgery and type of operations. Accuracy of EAUS was 90.8% and not related to clinical outcomes (p=0.522). CONCLUSION: EAUS had favourable effects on functional outcome after FiA surgery while multiple factors were associated with clinical outcomes. EAUS is useful, accurate, inexpensive and can be the first tool for planning of complex and recurrent FiA.

Laparoscopic Mesorectal Excision in Obesity: Novel Insights and Technical Strategies.

INTRODUCTION: Obesity is a burgeoning problem worldwide. Although beneficial in obese patients, conventional laparoscopic mesorectal excision for rectal cancer is technically challenging, with a higher conversion rate to open compared with nonobese patients. We describe novel strategies to circumvent these difficulties. TECHNIQUE: The key steps are 1) lateral-to-medial colonic mobilization and left-sided mesorectal excision with the surgeon on the patient's right; 2) switching to the patient's left for right-sided mesorectal excision; 3) further rectal retraction with cotton tape and preperitoneal fat sling; and 4) caudal-to-cephalad mobilization of colon after distal transection, which facilitates extrapelvic mesenteric dissection and vessel ligation. RESULTS: These techniques optimize gravity to negate the lack of exposure due to visceral obesity. Triangulation is improved by changing the surgeon's position during mesorectal dissection. This allows accurate identification of anatomical planes and avoids excessive pneumoperitoneum pressures and Trendelenburg tilt. CONCLUSIONS: Adopting these strategies can facilitate laparoscopic mesorectal excision in the obese patient and may reduce conversion to open.

Urgent Pelvic Exenteration: Should the Indication Be Extended?

BACKGROUND: Pelvic exenteration carries significant risks of morbidity and mortality. Preoperative management is therefore crucial, and the exenteration procedure is usually performed in an elective setting. In cases of rectal cancer, however, tumor-related complications may cause a patient's condition to deteriorate rapidly, despite optimal management. Urgent pelvic exenteration then may be an option for these patients. OBJECTIVE: This study aims to compare the outcomes of pelvic exenteration between the urgent and elective settings. DESIGN: This is a retrospective study. SETTING: This study was conducted at King Chulalongkorn Memorial Hospital between February 2006 and June 2012. PATIENTS: Fifty-three patients with locally advanced rectal cancer were included. INTERVENTION: All patients underwent pelvic exenteration for locally advanced rectal cancer. They were assigned to urgent and elective setting groups according to their preoperative conditions. The urgent setting group included patients who required urgent pelvic exenteration because of intestinal obstruction, bowel perforation, bleeding, or uncontrolled sepsis, despite optimal management preoperatively. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Twenty-six patients were classified in the urgent setting group, and 27 were classified in the elective setting group. Three-year overall and disease-free survivals were compared between the 2 groups. Thirty-day postoperative morbidity and mortality were also studied. RESULTS: Three-year overall survival was 62.2% and 54.4% in the elective and urgent groups (p = 0.7), whereas three-year disease-free survival was 43% and 63.8% (p = 0.33). The median follow-up time was 33 months. Thirty-day morbidity did not differ between the 2 groups (p = 0.49). A low serum albumin level was a significant risk factor for complications. There was no postoperative mortality in this study. LIMITATIONS: This was a retrospective study performed at 1 institution, and it lacked quality-of-life scores. CONCLUSION: Pelvic exenteration in an urgent setting is feasible and could offer acceptable outcomes. See Video Abstract at http://links.lww.com/DCR/A591.

Forward-viewing radial-array echoendoscope for staging of colon cancer beyond the rectum.

AIM: To evaluate feasibility of the novel forward-viewing radial-array echoendoscope for staging of colon cancer beyond rectum as the first series. METHODS: A retrospective study with prospectively entered database. From March 2012 to February 2013, a total of 21 patients (11 men) (mean age 64.2 years) with colon cancer beyond the rectum were recruited. The novel forward-viewing radial-array echoendoscope was used for ultrasonographic staging of colon cancer beyond rectum. Ultrasonographic T and N staging were recorded when surgical pathology was used as a gold standard. RESULTS: The mean time to reach the lesion and the mean time to complete the procedure were 3.5 and 7.1 min, respectively. The echoendoscope passed through the lesions in 13 patients (61.9%) and reached the cecum in 10 of 13 patients (76.9%). No adverse events were found. The lesions were located in the cecum (n = 2), ascending colon (n = 1), transverse colon (n = 2), descending colon (n = 2), and sigmoid colon (n = 14). The accuracy rate for T1 (n = 3), T2 (n = 4), T3 (n = 13) and T4 (n = 1) were 100%, 60.0%, 84.6% and 100%, respectively. The overall accuracy rates for the T and N staging of colon cancer were 81.0% and 52.4%, respectively. The accuracy rates among traversable lesions (n = 13) and obstructive lesions (n = 8) were 61.5% and 100%, respectively. Endoscopic ultrasound and computed tomography had overall accuracy rates of 81.0% and 68.4%, respectively. CONCLUSION: The echoendoscope is a feasible staging tool for colon cancer beyond rectum. However, accuracy of the echoendoscope needs to be verified by larger systematic studies.

Colon cancer prevention by detection of APC gene mutation in a family with attenuated familial adenomatous polyposis.

BACKGROUND: Genetic mutation is a significant factor in colon CA pathogenesis. Familial adenomatous polyposis (FAP) is an autosomal dominant hereditary disease characterized by multiple colorectal adenomatous polyps affecting a number of cases in the family. This report focuses on a family with attenuated familial adenomatous polyposis (AFAP) with exon 4 mutation, c.481C>T p.Q161X of the APC gene. METHODS: We analyzed 20 members of a family with AFAP. Clinical and endoscopic data were collected for phenotype determination. Genetic analysis was also performed by direct sequencing of the APC gene. RESULT: Five patients with a phenotype of AFAP were found. Endoscopic polyposis was demonstrated among the second generation with genotype mutation of the disease (age > 50 years) consistent with delayed phenotypic adenomatous polyposis in AFAP. APC gene mutation was identified in exon 4 of the APC gene, with mutation points of c.481C>T p.Q161X. Laparoscopic subtotal colectomy was performed to prevent carcinogenesis. CONCLUSION: A family with attenuated familial adenomatous polyposis of APC related to exon 4 mutation, c.481C>T p.Q161X, was reported and the phenotypic finding was confirmed by endoscopic examination. Genetic mutation analysis might be advantageous in AFAP for long term colon cancer prevention and management due to subtle or asymptomatic phenotype presentation in early adulthood.

A randomized controlled trial comparing colonic irrigation and oral antibiotics administration versus 4% formalin application for treatment of hemorrhagic radiation proctitis.

BACKGROUND: Several treatments have been described for hemorrhagic radiation proctitis. The treatment outcomes are variable. Colonic irrigation and oral antibiotics for hemorrhagic radiation proctitis have been recently reported to be a novel and promising therapeutic approach. However, a comparative study of this treatment has never been investigated. OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to compare colonic irrigation and oral antibiotics (irrigation group) versus 4% formalin application (formalin group) for treatment of hemorrhagic radiation proctitis. DESIGN: This was a randomized controlled trial. SETTING: This study was conducted in a tertiary care/university-based hospital. PATIENTS: Fifty patients with hemorrhagic radiation proctitis were randomly assigned to each treatment group (n = 25). INTERVENTIONS: For individuals allocated to the irrigation group, daily self-administered colonic irrigation with 1 L of tap water and a 1-week period of oral antibiotics (ciprofloxacin and metronidazole) were prescribed. For individuals allocated to the formalin group, 4% formalin application for 3 minutes was performed. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Patients' symptoms and the endoscopic findings of each group were collected. Patient satisfaction was surveyed. The outcomes were evaluated at 8 weeks after the initiation of treatment. RESULTS: There was a significant improvement in rectal bleeding and bowel frequency in both treatment groups, but significant improvement in urgency, diarrhea, and tenesmus was demonstrated only in the irrigation group. The comparative study between 2 treatments revealed greater improvement in rectal bleeding, urgency, and diarrhea in the irrigation group. Twenty of 24 patients in the irrigation group and 10 of 23 patients in the formalin group were satisfied with the treatment. LIMITATIONS: This trial cannot illustrate whether the antibiotics and the irrigation were equally important because of the limitation of a 2-armed design. CONCLUSIONS: The treatment with colonic irrigation and oral antibiotics appears to be more effective than 4% formalin application for hemorrhagic radiation proctitis treatment and achieves higher patient satisfaction.

Marsupialization for simple fistula in ano: a randomized controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: Marsupialization of anal fistulotomy results in less raw-surface wound and may improve postoperative outcomes. The present study was designed to test the benefit of marsupialization for simple fistula in ano. MATERIAL AND METHOD: This was a randomized controlled study conducted at King Chulalongkorn Memorial Hospital, Bangkok, Thailand. Fifty patients with simple uncomplicated fistula in ano were allocated into either fistulotomy group or fistulotomy with marsupialization group. Patients with complex fistula in ano, prior incontinence, immuno-compromised status and bleeding tendency were excluded from the present study. The postoperative pain score, the pain score after the first defecation, total amount of the analgesic usage and complications were evaluated. Recurrence was also assessed RESULTS: There was no difference in the postoperative pain score between the treatment groups. However, there was a significant difference (p = 0.017) in the number of patients who needed pethidine injection (4 patients of the fistulotomy with marsupialization group versus 13 patients of the fistulotomy group). There was no statistical significant difference in the pain score after the first defecation and the amount of paracetamol usage in seven days. Five complications were found only in the fistulotomy group but the significant level was marginal (p = 0.0501). There was no recurrence of thefistula and none of the patients developed anal incontinence after the surgery. CONCLUSION: Marsupialization for anal fistulotomy is safe. This technique helps to improve the postoperative outcomes.

Internal sphincter myectomy for adult Hirschsprung's disease: a single institute experience.

OBJECTIVE: Adult Hirschsprungs disease is a rare disease and frequently misdiagnosed as the long-standing refractory constipation. Almost all cases have short or ultra-short aganglionic segment of distal rectum. The clinical features are different from those in childhood when the diseased segment is long. Amongst the few successful operations that have been used to treat this condition, internal sphincter myectomy has been proposed as a simple and low morbidity procedure, but only a few literatures reported the results. The present study aimed to evaluate the outcomes of anorectal myectomy in adult Hirschsprung's disease. MATERIAL AND METHOD: All medical records of adult Hirschsprung's disease between January 1, 1997 and April 30, 2008 were retrospectively reviewed The histological criteria for diagnosis were increase in the number of cholinergic nerve fibers in the lamina propria, muscularis mucosae, and submucosa, and the absence of ganglia in the submucosa. All cases underwent internal sphincter myectomy as the first operation. Post-operative complications, number of defecation per week, and the need for a second operation were studied. RESULTS: Seven patients met the criteria. All patients had the long history of constipation. Anorectal myectomy was performed as the first operation in all cases. Four patients (57%) had good results, without complication and no further operation was needed up to the last follow-up (26-86 months). Two cases underwent subtotal and total colectomy after myectomy to achieve good results eventually. Only one patient had a poor result after Left colectomy and Total proctocolectomy with ileal pouch anal anastomosis. CONCLUSION: Internal sphincter myectomy, the simple and complication-free procedure, provides the satisfactory outcomes for adult Hirschsprung's disease. This technique should be the first operation for this condition.

One-staged subtotal sacrectomy for primary sacral tumor.

BACKGROUND: Sacrectomy with adequate margins is challenging because of the complexity of the surgical approach and morbidities. Two-staged sequential approach, therefore, has been advocated. This study was designed to demonstrate the modification of this technique. METHODS: This is a case presentation of a 45-year-old man with chordoma involving the lower border of S2, who underwent one-staged subtotal sacrectomy. The technique involved the following: midline incision, mobilization of the rectum, construction of a colostomy and the modified Hartmann stump with intact superior rectal vessels, ligation of internal iliac arteries, ligation of all branches connecting to external iliac veins resulting in "complete isolation" of the external iliac veins, dissection of presacral tissue, anterior osteotomy at the S1-S2 junction and the sacroiliac joints, and abdominal closure. The posterior approach involved a three-limbed incision, dissection of the gluteus muscle and ligaments from the sacrum, subperiosteal dissection, S1 laminectomy, posterior osteotomy corresponding with the anterior osteotomy line with preservation of S1 nerves, division of S2-S4 nerves from sciatic nerves, and specimen removal. Closure of the large sacral defect was undertaken using the Hartmann stump and bilateral gluteus maximus flaps. RESULTS: En bloc resection with free margins without tumor rupture was accomplished. Operative time was 12 hours. Blood transfusion was 6 units. This patient had a good recovery without complications. He was able to ambulate within 1 week and walk normally within 1 month. No recurrence was found at a 24-month-follow-up. CONCLUSIONS: One-staged sacrectomy can be safely performed, obtaining the satisfactory outcomes.

Sacrectomy for primary sacral tumors.

PURPOSE: En bloc resection with adequate margins has provided a chance for cure of primary sacral tumors. However, high sacral lesions are challenging because of the complexity of the surgical approach. The aims of this study were to describe a modification in technique and to evaluate the outcomes. METHODS: This is a study of eight sacrectomies performed at King Chulalongkorn Memorial Hospital between February 2000 and July 2007. Cadaveric dissections were carried out prior to surgery. We have modified the technique by ligation of the branches of the external iliac veins, resulting in "isolation" of the external iliac veins. Spinopelvic reconstruction was performed for total and extended total sacrectomy. Closure of the sacral defect was done with use of the Hartmann stump and the gluteus maximus flaps. RESULTS: Two total sacrectomies, one extended total sacrectomy, and five subtotal S1 sacrectomies were performed. En bloc resection with adequate margins was achieved in all patients. The patient who underwent extended total sacrectomy and one patient who underwent total sacrectomy had nonunion requiring removal of the spinopelvic instrumentation. Five patients who underwent subtotal sacrectomy were ambulating well postoperatively, except for one who had an S1 fracture after falling. No sacral hernias were observed. None of the patients developed recurrence of the primary tumor. Mean follow-up time was four years. CONCLUSIONS: Sacrectomy for primary sacral tumors can be safely conducted, achieving tumor-free margins and acceptable functional and long-term outcomes.

A comparison of early postoperative results between urgent closed hemorrhoidectomy for prolapsed thrombosed hemorrhoids and elective closed hemorrhoidectomy.

OBJECTIVE: To compare the perioperative complications, analgesics requirement, and length of hospital stay between patients undergoing urgent closed hemorrhoidectomy for prolapsed thrombosed hemorrhoid and elective closed hemorrhoidectomy. RESEARCH DESIGN: Retrospective, comparative study. MATERIAL AND METHOD: All records of the patients who underwent urgent and elective hemorrhoidectomy between January 2000 and December 2005 were reviewed. Perioperative complications (bleeding, urinary retention, post-operative thrombosis, and wound dehiscence), analgesic requirement, and length of hospital stay were analyzed. STATISTICS: Chi-Square Test and Mann-Whitney U Test. RESULTS: From 1440 patients, 1184 patients met the inclusion criteria. All were done with closed technique. The indication for urgent hemorrhoidectomy was prolapsed thrombosed hemorrhoid in 416 patients (group 1). The indication for elective hemorrhoidectomy were grade 3 and 4 internal hemorrhoid, external hemorrhoid or combined hemorrhoid in 768 patients (group 2). There was no statistically significant difference in urinary retention and bleeding complication between two groups; 31 patients (7.5%) in group 1 and 69 patients (8.9%) in group 2 experienced urinary retention p = 0.426, five patients (1.2%) in group 1 and 10 patients (1.3%) in group 2 had postoperative bleeding, p = 1.000). On the second postoperative week, wound dehiscence was found in nine patients (2.2%) from group 1 and 15 patients (2%) from group 2. On the fourth week, all the wounds were completely healed without granulation or stricture formation. Post-operative meperidine requirement was significantly lower in the urgent hemorrhoidectomy group (0.84 +/- 0.71 vs. 0.99 + 0.81 mg/kg, p < 0.001). Post-operative length of hospital stay were not statistically different (1.017 +/- 0.129 vs. 1.016 +/- 0.124, p = 0.107). CONCLUSION: Urgent closed hemorrhoidectomy for prolapsed thrombosed hemorrhoids may be a preferable option for patients suffering from this condition.

Multimedia article. Laparoscopic restorative proctocolectomy with small McBurney incision for ileal pouch construction without protective ileostomy.

PURPOSE: Restorative proctocolectomy is a standard treatment for colorectal diseases over decades. At present, this technique is frequently performed via minimal invasive approach. Most reported techniques of laparoscopic restorative proctocolectomy involved a Pfannenstiel incision for the major part of the operation to be performed openly; a double-stapled pouch anal anastomosis technique and protective ileostomy. This study was designed to demonstrate the modification of this technique. METHODS: This was a retrospective study of seven patients (4 had ulcerative colitis and 3 had familial adenomatous polyposis) who underwent laparoscopic restorative proctocolectomy at King Chulalongkorn Memorial Hospital between September 2004 and February 2007. The details of the procedure are shown in the video. The techniques involve the following: full mobilization of entire colon and rectum using medial to lateral approach, division of submesenteric arcades for ileal pouch elongation with preservation of three to four inner most arcades of distal ileum segment and preservation of both superior mesenteric and ileocolic trunk, ileal pouch construction via a small (3-4 cm) McBurney incision, transanal mucosectomy with removal of the entire rectum and colon transanally, and handsewn ileal pouch-anal anastomosis. None of the patients underwent protective ileostomy. RESULTS: Mean surgical time was 360 (270-510) minutes, and median blood loss was 230 (100-400) ml. There were neither conversions nor intraoperative surgical complications. However, one patient developed small-bowel obstruction, which was successfully treated by laparoscopic approach. Anastomotic leakage was not found in this series. All patients have good control of their bowel movement as well as a very good cosmetic result during the follow-up period. CONCLUSIONS: Laparoscopic restorative proctocolectomy with small McBurney incision for ileal pouch construction, without protective ileostomy, is technically feasible and safe.