Cell transplantation in surgical treatment of familial adenomatous polyposis coli.

We developed a method of surgical treatment of familial adenomatous polyposis coli giving an opportunity to prevent the growth of new polyps in the preserved part of the rectum and consisting in transplantation of fetal cells of the epithelial origin into the rectum wall after mucosectomy. Since the rectum is partially preserved, ileorectal anastomosis can be formed after colectomy, which preserves natural bowel passage. Complex examination 4 weeks after surgery revealed the formation of normal rectal mucosa. No new polyps were detected in the rectum 1-3 years after surgery.

Clinical features' diagnostics and treatment of Hirschsprung's disease in adults.

AIM: Hirschsprung's disease first diagnosed in adulthood is symptomatic from early childhood in most cases. However, the condition is frequently masked when constipation is managed effectively by enemas and aperients. One third of the patients will experience progressive symptoms or complications, requiring urgent surgical intervention. METHOD: Ninety patients with adult Hirschsprung's disease were observed by a combination of investigations: barium enema, anorectal physiology, estimation of acetylcholinesterase activity and a 60mm full-thickness strip biopsy. The latter two modalities were performed in selected patients where there was diagnostic uncertainty. Single-staged resections, mostly modified Duhamel procedures, were performed in patients who were stable and fit, and with only a limited degree of megacolon present, and no other complications. Otherwise patients were temporarily defunctioned prior to staged resection. All patients underwent surgical treatment. Long-term functional outcomes were expressed as good, satisfactory or poor. RESULTS: Median age was 24.5 years, range 14-47 years, and 72.2% were men. Almost three quarters (73.3%) of the patients had symptoms dating from early childhood. Barium enema was diagnostic in 84.3%, and 36.2% had a positive, but weak rectoanal inhibitory reflex. Acetylcholinesterase staining was positive in 85.7%, but full-thickness strip biopsy was positive in 100% of equivocal cases. A separate cadaveric study of unaffected individuals determined the true length of the normal physiological hypoganglionic zone, mean 24.4 mm and range 7.5-50 mm. Supra-anal short segment Hirschprung's disease was found in 5.6% patients, rectal involvement in 54.4%, rectosigmoid in 38.9% and total aganglionosis of the colon in 1.1%. Resection of the aganglionic zone and proximally dilated colon was performed as a single-staged procedure in 67.8%. Staged surgery was carried out in 32.2%. A modified Duhamel procedure was performed in 91.2% of cases. A good or satisfactory functional outcome was achieved in 96.7%. Long-term functional outcome after resection depends on the degree of preoperative megacolon present. Megacolon limited to the sigmoid colon was associated with a good outcome in 89.7%, but in only 66.7% with more proximal dilatation (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Occasionally, Hirschsprung's disease presents in adulthood, with ongoing symptoms from early childhood or with the development of functional obstruction, faecal impaction and megacolon in later life. Diagnosis often requires multimodal investigation. A 60 mm full-thickness strip biopsy confirms aganglionosis in 100%. A modified Duhamel procedure is the operation of choice.

Hirschsprung's disease in adults.

Hirschsprung's disease is the malformation of the hindgut characterised by the absence of intramural ganglion cells in the submucosal and myenteric plexuses and manifested by megacolon. Congenital character of this disease stipulates its belonging in general to the scope of activity of the pediatric clinics. Thanks to the progress of the pediatricians problems of diagnosis and treatment of Hirschsprung's disease have been successfully resolved.

Surgical treatment of benign, myomatous rectal tumors.

Between 1972 and 1990, 36 patients with leiomyoma of the rectum underwent surgery at the Proctology Institute (Moscow). There were 13 male (36.1 percent) and 23 female (63.9 percent) patients. Their median age was 52.1 years. Electroexcision of the tumors measuring below 1 cm was performed through the endoscope in 12 patients. Leiomyomas with a diameter of 2.5 to 5 cm were removed transanally in 10 patients. Six patients underwent excision of the tumor through the pararectal approach, whereas leiomyomas located in the rectovaginal wall were removed through the vagina in one patient. Abdominoperineal extirpation and abdominoanal resection of the rectum was performed in seven patients with tumors measuring from 8 to 20 cm. Recurrences were noted in nine patients after transanal, pararectal, or transvaginal excision of leiomyomas. In seven of them, malignant transformation of the tumor occurred at terms ranging from 9 months to 9.5 years.