Long Rectal Cuff and Remnant Mesorectum Are Major Preventable Causes of Ileal Pouch Failure.

BACKGROUND: Long rectal cuff (>2 cm) and remnant mesorectum are known causes of pouch dysfunction due to obstructive defecation, as well as pelvic sepsis after prolonged obstruction. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study is to report the rates and the management of patients who underwent re-do ileal pouch anal anastomosis due to pouch failure associated with retained mesorectum and long rectal cuff. DESIGN: This is a retrospective study. SETTINGS: The investigation is based on a quaternary inflammatory bowel disease center. PATIENTS: Patients undergoing re-do ileal pouch anal anastomosis surgery and had long rectal cuff and/or remnant mesorectum between September 2016 and September 2023 were included in the study. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: The main outcomes were functioning pouch rate and functional results. RESULTS: Of the 245 patients who underwent re-do ileal pouch anal anastomosis surgery, 98 (40%) patients had long rectal cuff and/or remnant mesorectum. Re-do ileal pouch anal anastomosis in this patient group was successful (92%) at a median follow-up of 28 (18-52) months. LIMITATIONS: The retrospective nature of the study and this is the experience of a single specialized center. CONCLUSIONS: Long rectal cuff and remanent mesorectum are major causes of pouch failure which can be successfully managed with re-do ileal pouch anal anastomosis surgery. Nearly half of pouch failure patients who had successful re-do ileal pouch anal anastomosis surgery initially received unnecessary biologic therapy before coming to our center. See Video abstract.

Enhancing students' understanding of cardiac physiology by using 4D visualization.

Difficulties in achieving knowledge about physiology and anatomy of the beating heart highlight the challenges with more traditional pedagogical methods. Recent research regarding anatomy education has mainly focused on digital three-dimensional models. However, these pedagogical improvements may not be entirely applicable to cardiac anatomy and physiology due to the multidimensional complexity with moving anatomy and complex blood flow. The aim of this study was therefore to evaluate whether high quality time-resolved anatomical images combined with realistic blood flow simulations improve the understanding of cardiac structures and function. Three time-resolved datasets were acquired using time-resolved computed tomography and blood flow was computed using Computational Fluid Dynamics. The anatomical and blood flow information was combined and interactively visualized using volume rendering on an advanced stereo projection system. The setup was tested in interactive lectures for medical students. Ninety-seven students participated. Summative assessment of examinations showed significantly improved mean score (18.1 ± 4.5 vs 20.3 ± 4.9, p = 0.002). This improvement was driven by knowledge regarding myocardial hypertrophy and pressure-velocity differences over a stenotic valve. Additionally, a supplementary formative assessment showed significantly more agreeing answers than disagreeing answers (p < 0.001) when the participants subjectively evaluated the contribution of the visualizations to their education and knowledge. In conclusion, the use of simultaneous visualization of time-resolved anatomy data and simulated blood flow improved medical students' results, with a particular effect on understanding of cardiac physiology and these simulations may be useful educational tools for teaching complex anatomical and physiological concepts.

Current management of spontaneous intra-abdominal abscess in Crohn's disease / Tratamento atual de abscesso intra-abdominal espontâneo na doença de Crohn

ABSTRACT Crohn's disease (CD) is a chronic transmural disease process with approximately 10% of patients developing spontaneous intra-abdominal abscess during the first 5 years after the diagnosis. The symptoms are often nonspecific. The treatment modalities include the use of wide-spectrum antibiotics, imaging-guided percutaneous drainage (PD) and surgical drainage with or without resection. The best initial treatment strategy has not been settled controversial, as there are only retrospective studies with small sample sizes available in the literature. The majority of the patients would eventually need surgery. However a highly selected patient population with small abscess in the absence of fistulas or bowel strictures, especially those naive to immunomodulators or biologics, may respond to medical treatment alone with wide-spectrum antibiotics. The increased use of PD drainage in the last few years has been shown to reduce postoperative morbidities and risk of fecal diversion, allowing for subsequent elective surgery. Varied success rates of PD drainage have been reported in the literature. The initial surgical intervention of CD-related spontaneous abdominal sepsis is mandatory in patients with diffuse peritonitis due to free perforation. Surgery is also indicated in those with failed initial medical treatment and/or PD. This review article was aimed to evaluate the treatment modalities for spontaneous intra-abdominal abscess in CD patients and propose an algorithm for the best management of this complication.

RESUMO A doença de Crohn (DC) é um processo patológico transmural crônico, em que aproximadamente 10% dos pacientes desenvolvem um abscesso intra-abdominal espontâneo durante os primeiros 5 anos após o diagnóstico. Com frequência os sintomas são inespecíficos. As modalidades terapêuticas são o uso de antibióticos de amplo espectro, drenagem percutânea (DP) orientada por imagem, e drenagem cirúrgica com ou sem ressecção. A melhor estratégia terapêutica inicial ainda não ficou estabelecida e há controvérsias, visto que a literatura conta apenas com estudos retrospectivos com pequenas amostras. Em sua maioria, os pacientes acabarão necessitando de cirurgia. Mas uma população altamente selecionada de pacientes, com pequeno abscesso na ausência de fístulas ou constrições intestinais, especialmente aqueles que jamais foram medicados com imunomoduladores ou agentes biológicos, podem responder exclusivamente ao tratamento clínico com antibióticos de amplo espectro. Foi demonstrado que o uso mais frequente da DP nos últimos anos diminui as morbidades pós-operatórias e o risco de desvio fecal, o que possibilita uma subsequente cirurgia eletiva. Na literatura, têm sido relatados percentuais de sucesso variados com a DP. A intervenção cirúrgica inicial para a sepse abdominal espontânea relacionada à DC é obrigatória em pacientes com peritonite difusa, devido à perfuração livre. Também há indicação cirúrgica naqueles pacientes que não conseguiram obter sucesso com o tratamento clínico inicial e/ou DP. Esse artigo de revisão teve por objetivo avaliar as modalidades terapêuticas para o abscesso intra-abdominal espontâneo em pacientes com DC; além disso, propõe um algoritmo para o melhor tratamento dessa complicação.

PERIANAL COMPLETE REMISSION WITH COMBINED THERAPY (SETON PLACEMENT AND ANTI-TNF AGENTS) IN Crohn’s DISEASE: a Brazilian multicenter observational study / Remissão perianal completa com terapia combinada (sedenhos e agentes biológicos) na doença de Crohn: um estudo brasileiro observacional e multicêntrico

Background Perianal fistulizing Crohn’s disease is one of the most severe phenotypes of inflammatory bowel diseases. Combined therapy with seton placement and anti-TNF therapy is the most common strategy for this condition Objectives The aim of this study was to analyze the rates of complete perianal remission after combined therapy for perianal fistulizing Crohn’s disease. Methods This was a retrospective observational study with perianal fistulizing Crohn’s disease patients submitted to combined therapy from four inflammatory bowel diseases referral centers. We analyzed patients’ demographic characteristics, Montreal classification, concomitant medication, classification of the fistulae, occurrence of perianal complete remission and recurrence after remission. Complete perianal remission was defined as absence of drainage from the fistulae associated with seton removal. Discussion A total of 78 patients were included, 44 (55.8%) females with a mean age of 33.8 (±15) years. Most patients were treated with Infliximab, 66.2%, than with Adalimumab, 33.8%. Complex fistulae were found in 52/78 patients (66.7%). After a medium follow-up of 48.2 months, 41/78 patients (52.6%) had complete perianal remission (95% CI: 43.5%-63.6%). Recurrence occurred in four (9.8%) patients (95% CI: 0.7%-18.8%) in an average period of 74.8 months. Conclusions Combined therapy lead to favorable and durable results in perianal fistulizing Crohn’s disease. .

Contexto A doença de Crohn perianal fistulizante é uma das formas mais graves das doenças inflamatórias intestinais. A terapia combinada com sedenhos e agentes biológicos é a estratégia mais comumente empregada para essa condição. Objetivo O objetivo deste estudo foi analisar as taxas de remissão perianal completa com a terapia combinada na doença de Crohn perianal fistulizante. Métodos Trata-se de um estudo retrospectivo e observacional com portadores de doença de Crohn perianal fistulizante submetidos à terapia combinada provenientes de quatro centros de referência do Brasil. Foram analisadas as características de base dos pacientes, classificação de Montreal, medicamentos concomitantes, classificação das fístulas, ocorrência de remissão perianal completa e recorrência. Remissão perianal completa foi definida como ausência de drenagem das fístulas associada à retirada dos sedenhos. Discussão Foram incluídos 78 pacientes, 44 (55,8%) mulheres, com média de idade de 33,8 (±15) anos. A maior parte dos pacientes foi tratada com Infliximabe, 66,2%, do que com Adalimumabe, 33,8%. Fístulas complexas foram observadas em 52/78 (66,7%) pacientes. Após um seguimento médio de 48,2 meses, 41/78 (52,6%) pacientes apresentaram remissão perianal completa (IC 95%: 43,5%-63,6%). Recorrência foi observada em quatro (9,8%) pacientes (IC 95%: 0,7%-18,8%) em um período médio de 74,8 meses para sua ocorrência. Conclusão A terapia combinada trouxe resultados favoráveis e duradouros em portadores de doença de Crohn perianal fistulizante. .

Total de linfonodos identificados após a ressecção do câncer colorretal / Lymph nodes identification after colorectal cancer resection

RACIONAL: A base cirúrgica principal no tratamento do câncer colorretal é a remoção em bloco do tumor com adequadas margens proximal e distal, associada à remoção dos linfonodos mesentéricos. OBJETIVO: Avaliar fatores associados à quantidade de linfonodos encontrados em peças cirúrgicas de pacientes com câncer colorretal. MÉTODOS: Estudo retrospectivo, de pacientes consecutivos, operados com diagnóstico de adenocarcinoma colorretal. Foram excluídos aqueles submetidos ao tratamento cirúrgico paliativo. Os dados demográficos, operatórios e histopatológicos foram analisados utilizando os testes exato de Fisher, Qui-quadrado, Wilcoxon rank-sum e um modelo de regressão logística. RESULTADOS: No período de 2000 a 2008, foram operados 298 pacientes com câncer colorretal. Os dados incluídos na análise estavam disponíveis para 173 pacientes. Destes, 85 (49 por cento) eram do sexo feminino e a idade mediana era de 65 (26-94) anos. A ressecção mais comum foi a colectomia esquerda (45 por cento), seguida pela colectomia direita (23 por cento). O número mediano de linfonodos isolados foi oito (0-67) e 33 por cento dos pacientes tiveram 12 ou mais linfonodos identificados na peça cirúrgica. Os pacientes com idade menor que 50 anos e aqueles submetidos à coletomia direita obtiveram maior número de linfonodos isolados. CONCLUSÕES: A idade do paciente menor que 50 anos e o tipo de ressecção cirúrgica estão associados ao maior número de linfonodos encontrados nas peças cirúrgicas.

BACKGROUND: The main base in surgical treatment of colorectal cancer is en-bloc removal of the tumor with adequate proximal and distal margins, combined with the removal of lymph nodes. AIM: To evaluate factors associated with the number of lymph nodes found in surgical specimens from patients with colorectal cancer. METHODS: Analysis of a retrospective data of consecutive patients operated with a diagnosis of colorectal adenocarcinoma. Were excluded those undergoing palliative surgery. Demographic data, operative and histopathological findings were analyzed using the Fisher exact test, chi-square, Wilcoxon rank-sum and a logistic regression model. RESULTS: From 2000 to 2008, were operated 298 patients with colorectal cancer. The data included in the analysis were available for 173 patients. Of these, 85 (49 percent) were female and median age was 65 (26-94) years. The resection was the most common left colectomy (45 percent), followed by right colectomy (23 percent). The median number of lymph nodes were isolated from eight (0-67) and 33 percent of patients had 12 or more lymph nodes identified in surgical specimens. Patients younger than 50 years and those who underwent right colectomy had a greater number of lymph nodes isolated. CONCLUSIONS: Patient age less than 50 years and the type of surgical resection are associated with higher number of lymph nodes found in surgical specimens.

TIPS--anastomose portossistêmica intra-hepática transjugular. Revisao / TIPS - Transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt. A review

At the present time several therapeutic options are used for the treatment of bleeding esophageal varices in patients with portal hypertension. We will review the main medical publications on transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt (TIPS), a procedure seldom used among us. TIPS works as a portocaval side-to-side shunt and decreases the risk of esophageal bleeding through lowering of the portal system pressure and a decrease of the portal hepatic pressure gradient. TIPS consists in the percutaneous insertion, through the internal jugular vein, of a metallic stent under fluoroscopic control in the hepatic parenchyma creating a true porta caval communication. There are several studies demonstrating the efficacy of TIPS, although only a few of them are randomized and control-matched to allow us to conclude that this procedure is safe, efficient and with a good cost benefit ratio. In this review, we search for the analysis of the TIPS utilization, its techniques, its major indications and complications. TIPS has been used in cases of gastroesophageal bleeding that has failed with pharmacologic or endoscopic treatment in patients Child-Pugh B and C. It can be used also as a bridge for liver transplantation. Others indications for TIPS are uncontrolled ascites, hepatic renal syndrome, and hepatic hydrothorax. The main early complications of TIPS using are related to the insertion site and hepatic encephalopathy and the stent occlusion is the chief late complication.