Determination of synthetic cannabinoids in oral fluids by liquid chromatography with fluorescence detection after solid-phase extraction.

Synthetic cannabinoids are one of the most consumed new psychoactive substances, being absolutely necessary the development of analytical methodologies for the determination of these substances in biological fluids. In this study, a liquid chromatography with fluorescence detection (LC-FD) method has been developed for the analysis of 8 synthetic cannabinoids in oral fluids. The method has been validated in terms of linearity, precision and extraction recoveries, giving limits of detection as low as 0.7 µg L-1, and limits of quantification of 2.6 µg L-1. Different silica and polymeric commercial solid sorbents such as C18, Supel-Select HLB, EB2 ExtrabondⓇ and SampliQ-OPT were tested, concluding that Supel-Select HLB provided quantitative recoveries for the extraction of synthetic cannabinoids in oral fluids.•Analysis of synthetic cannabinoids in oral fluids.•Analytical procedure based on liquid chromatography with fluorescence detection.•Sample treatment based on solid phase extraction with HLB cartridges.

Horseshoe tract of anal fistula: bad luck or an avoidable extension? Lessons from 82 cases.

AIM: The aim of this study was to analyse the characteristics of horseshoe tract formation in anal fistula. METHOD: We retrospectively analysed the data from all consecutive patients who underwent surgery for an anal fistula from November 2004 to March 2011. A horseshoe tract was defined as a circumferential extension connecting both sides of the anorectum. RESULTS: During the period of analysis, 1876 patients were operated on for a fistula. Of these, 82 (4.4%) had a horseshoe extension. The majority (72%) were male and the median age was 46 (17-84) years. The primary tract was high transsphincteric in 90% of cases and the primary opening was posterior in 65% of cases. The location of the horseshoe extension was posterior in 66% of cases with spread in the deep perianal space in 62%. In all, 71% were cryptoglandular and 24% were seen in Crohn's disease (20). Of the 62 non-Crohn's patients previous treatment was common and included surgery (42), antibiotics alone (41) and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (21). CONCLUSION: Horseshoe extension in anal fistula is uncommon. With Crohn's disease excepted, the majority had had previous treatment.

Endorectal advancement flap with muscular plication: a modified technique for rectovaginal fistula repair.

AIM: Endorectal advancement flap is the most used treatment for acquired rectovaginal fistula but is liable to failure. We describe our experience with a modified technique. METHOD: Patients were included who had an acquired rectovaginal fistula. Exclusions included patients with Crohn's disease with proctitis, malignant or radiation-related fistula, stricture of the anorectum or those with an external sphincter defect. Surgery included closure of the internal opening with a figure-of-eight reabsorbable suture, plication of the anorectal muscular layer and mucosal flap advancement. Total parenteral nutrition was administered postoperatively for seven days. RESULTS: Between March 2003 and July 2008, 23 consecutive women (mean age 45.5 [28-78] years) were treated. The cause of fistulation included obstetric injury (n = 5), cryptoglandular disease (n = 11) and Crohn's disease (n = 7). Thirteen (57%) patients had a previous failed repair. At a mean follow-up of 14 (2-67) months, success was achieved in 65% (15/23) of patients. The mean Wexner incontinence scores pre- and postoperatively were 1.3 (0-15) and 0.6 (0-6), respectively. CONCLUSION: The success rate was promising with no deterioration of anal continence.

Stapled haemorrhoidopexy: 6 years' experience of a referral centre.

AIM: To prospectively evaluate the long-term results and assess patient satisfaction after stapled haemorrhoidopexy (HS). METHOD: A total of 150 patients (121 male patients) with symptomatic grade II (n = 50) or III (n = 100) haemorrhoids underwent stapled HS. Patients were followed up during consultations at regular intervals, allowing prospective data collection. A final telephone follow up was also undertaken. RESULTS: Follow up data were obtained for 130 of 150 patients (86.6%). After a median follow up of 39 months (range, 12-72), 90% of the patients were fully satisfied and 92% were free of haemorrhoidal symptoms. There were no intraoperative complications. Postoperative bleeding that required operation was observed in five patients (3.3%). Most late postoperative complications were benign and easily resolved: unexplained pain for over a month (n = 1), external haemorrhoidal thrombosis (n = 2), anal fissure (n = 6) one with hypertrophic papilla, anal fistula (n = 1), rectal stenosis (n = 1), anal incontinence for (n = 1). Eight patients needed rubber band ligation to treat persistent or recurrent symptomatic prolapse. Four patients (2.6%) were reoperated on during the follow up period but none for haemorrhoidal pathology. CONCLUSION: Stapled HS procedure is effective and has low morbidity, high patient satisfaction and provided good long-term control of haemorrhoidal symptoms in the treatment of second and third-degree haemorrhoids.

Seton drainage and fibrin glue injection for complex anal fistulas.

OBJECTIVE: The study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of fibrin glue in the treatment of complex anal fistula. METHOD: Thirty consecutive patients with a complex anal fistula underwent glue instillation after an 8 week period of seton drainage. Cure was defined as complete closure of any secondary opening, absence of fistula seepage, and no abscess formation. RESULTS: The mean age of the patients (15 males) was 40.5 (range, 22.8-69.1) years. The mean duration of follow-up was 11.7 (range, 0.2-33.5) months. Complete closure of the fistula was achieved in 17 patients at 1 month but in two patients a delayed abscess occurred. At the end of follow-up, 15 (50%) patients were considered to have been cured. The success rate was no different in cases of Crohn's disease or when postoperative antibiotic therapy was given. There was, however, a significant difference in success following regional vs general anaesthesia (68.4 vs 18.2% success, P = 0.02). CONCLUSION: Fibrin glue cured 50% of our first 30 patients, and regional anaesthesia was predictive of success.

[Anorectal manifestations in systemic diseases]. / Manifestations ano-rectales des maladies systémiques.

Numerous systemic diseases (vasculitis, connective tissue disease or sarcoidosis) can display an involvement of the perianal skin, the rectum and/or the anus. Such knowledge is important in order to treat these complications specifically when possible. Lesions of the anorectum arising from systemic diseases can sometimes cause perforations in the peritoneal cavity (if concerning the higher portion of the rectum) and/or fistulization to the anal margin. Differential diagnosis, mostly infectious or inflammatory (Crohn's disease) must be ruled out in every case. Other systemic diseases can display specific manifestations as this is the case in scleroderma which can lead to anal incontinence. Despite the relative rarity of these manifestations, their ignorance would forbid global management of these complex diseases. It should thus be detected in each consultation and a regular follow-up must be provided with a proctologist and/or a gastroenterologist when needed.

Particular aspects of proctology for anoperineal lesions in Crohn's disease.

All practitioners caring for patients with Crohn's disease (CD) must know all the various aspects of anoperineal lesions in this singular entity. Suppuration in CD does not follow the classic routes and spaces of diffusion and is often associated with endolumenal lesions that can evolve on their own. Abscesses and fistulas require specific medico-surgical management where seton drainage, staged operative and sphincter-sparing procedures have a dominant place. The variability of associated lesions and the particularly individualized efficacy of drugs call for case-by-case management, thus, making standardization and comparisons difficult. Recent therapeutic progress has led to modifications of the minimally invasive management policies practiced in the last decades.

Prosthetic rectopexy to the pelvic floor and sigmoidectomy for rectal prolapse.

BACKGROUND: Full thickness rectal prolapse in young adults with normal pelvic floor is a disease in which the rectum is exceedingly long and mobile. Surgical treatment should correct both anatomical defects by combined rectopexy and colonic resection, which is expected to be less constipating than rectopexy alone. The aim of this study was to describe an original procedure of rectopexy to the pelvic floor with prosthetic material combined with sigmoid resection, and to evaluate prospectively anatomical and functional results. METHODS: Thirty-five patients (30 women) of median age 44 years (range 18 to 74) were operated on for full thickness rectal prolapse with normal pelvic floor. The rectum was mobilized posteriorly without division of the lateral ligaments and attached to the pelvic floor previously repaired with a nonabsorbable mesh. The sigmoid colon was resected with hand-sewn anastomosis. Clinical results were assessed by a questionnaire. RESULTS: There were no deaths or any septic or anastomotic complications. Small bowel obstruction was corrected laparoscopically in 1 patient. Mean hospital stay was 8 days (range 6 to 14). Mean follow-up was 34 months (range 10 to 93). No recurrence was seen. Preoperatively, 33 patients (94%) complained of constipation mainly with emptying problems (21 patients) and 25 patients (71.5%) were incontinent. Postoperatively, no constipated or incontinent patient's condition worsened. Rectal emptying was restored in 17 patients (81%). Eighteen incontinent patients (72%) regained full continence. On the other hand, 2 patients with normal bowel function worsened and 1 patient with an altered rectal compliance after Delorme's operation became incontinent. CONCLUSIONS: In young adults with rectal prolapse and normal pelvic floor undergoing prosthetic rectopexy and sigmoid resection (a) morbidity was low, (b) anatomical control was obtained in all cases, (c) emptying problems were corrected, and (d) deleterious effects are likely to occur if they had no constipation before operation or if rectal compliance was previously altered.

[Effect of delivery on the anal sphincter]. / Conséquences de l'accouchement sur les sphincters de l'anus.

SPHINCTER TEARS: Vaginal delivery can lead to tears in the anal sphincters. Total perineal distension following expulsion concerns less than 1% of all deliveries. Initially, sphincter tears generally go unnoticed although echographically detectable defects can be found in one-third of all primiparturients. The inner or outer sphincter may be involved alone or in combination as is seen in half of the cases. NEUROLOGICAL LESIONS: Moderate signs of incontinence (gas, urge) are frequently reversible although the long-term outcome remains unknown. In half of the cases, perineal denervation is secondary to stretch lesions of the pudendal nerve terminasions. FAVORING FACTORS: Primiparity, forceps delivery, fetal macrosomy, and certain presentations (breech, occipitoposterior) may favor sphincter lesions. DIAGNOSIS: A complete examination of the posterior perineum is required with anorectal manometry, a perineal electrophysiologic study, and a transanal ultrasound study whenever function signs are found at the post partum follow-up. TREATMENT: The therapeutic strategy is guided by the exploration results. In case of symptomatic rupture of the external sphincter, sphicteroplasty is needed followed by functional rehabilitation therapy with biofeedback. Women who have suffered traumatic lesions of the posterior perineum should be carefully followed for signs of secondary incontinence. Cesarean section may be indicated as a preventive measure in case of a new pregnancy.

[Comparative serum pharmacokinetics of prednisone and prednisolone methylsulfobenzoate after oral administration]. / Pharmacocinétique sérique comparée de la prednisone et du méthylsulfobenzoate de prednisolone après administration orale.

Pharmacokinetic values of prednisone and prednisolone were measured in the serum of 6 healthy volunteers after oral administration of either prednisolone methylsulfobenzoate 30 mg or prednisone 30 mg. Peak serum concentrations of prednisolone obtained after dosing with prednisone occurred earlier and were higher (473 +/- 106 ng/ml) than those obtained after dosing with prednisolone methylsulfobenzoate (232 +/- 70 ng/ml; P less than 0.01). Similarly, areas under the 0-8 h concentration curves were significantly greater after dosing with prednisone than after dosing with prednisolone methylsulfobenzoate (prednisolone: P less than 0.001; prednisone: P less than 0.02). The differences may be due to prednisolone methylsulfobenzoate not being absorbed as well as prednisone. These kinetic data may warrant a reappraisal of the therapeutic equivalence of the two drugs taken for granted in France.

[Intrahepatic collections of fluid of pancreatic origin. A case]. / Collections liquidiennes intra-hépatiques d'origine pancréatique. Une observation.

A case of intrahepatic liquid collections of pancreatic origin is reported. A search in the literature yielded 8 cases of pancreatic pseudocysts which developed in the liver left lobe. The present case was original owing to its localization in the right hepatic lobe, to the large volume of the intrahepatic effusions and to the scarcity of underlying pancreatic symptoms. Ultrasonography and computerized axial tomography were useful aids to the diagnosis as well as to the therapeutic procedures. Surgery, which usually is a matter of discussion in chronic pancreatitis, was necessary to obtain the favourable outcome expected in such diseases.

Cryptoglandular anal fistula.

Fistula arising from the glands of the anal crypts is the most common form of anoperineal sepsis. It is characterized by a primary internal orifice in the anal canal, a fistulous tract, and an abscess and/or secondary perineal orifice with purulent discharge. Antibiotics are not curative. The treatment of an abscess is urgent and consists, whenever possible, of incision and drainage under local anesthesia. Definitive treatment of the fistulous tract can await a second stage. The primary aim is to control infection without sacrificing anal continence. Fistulotomy is the basis for all treatments but the specific technique depends on the height of the fistula in relation to the sphincteric mechanism. Overall results of fistulotomy are excellent but there is some risk of anal incontinence. This explains the growing interest in sphincter sparing techniques such as the mucosal advancement flap, the injection of fibrin glue, and the plug procedure. However, results of these procedures are not yet good enough and leave much room for improvement.