D. F. Altomare

Short-term sacral nerve stimulation for functional anorectal and urinary disturbances: results in 40 patients: evaluation of a new option for anorectal functional disorders.

PURPOSE: There are several options in the treatment of fecal incontinence; it is often difficult to choose the most appropriate, adequate treatment. The consolidated experience gained in the urologic field suggests that sacral nerve stimulation may be a further option in the choice of treatment. The aim of our study was to evaluate the preliminary results of the peripheral nerve evaluation test obtained in a multicenter collaborative study on patients with defecatory and urinary disturbances. METHODS: Forty patients (9 males; mean age, 50.2; range, 26–79 years) underwent the peripheral nerve evaluation test, 28 (70 percent) for fecal incontinence and 12 (30 percent) for chronic constipation. Fourteen (35 percent) patients also had urinary incontinence; six had urge incontinence, two had stress incontinence, and six had retention incontinence. Associated diseases were scleroderma (2 patients), spinal injuries (4 patients), and syringomyelia (1 patient). All the patients underwent preliminary investigations with anorectal manometry, pudendal nerve terminal motor latency testing, anal ultrasound, defecography, and if required, urodynamic tests. The electrode for sacral nerve stimulation was positioned percutaneously under local anesthesia in the S2 (4), S3 (34), or S4 (1) foramen unilaterally (1 patient not accounted for because of no response to acute test), based on the best motor and subjective responses of paresthesia of the pelvic floor. Stimulation parameters were average amplitude, 2.8 (range, 1–6) V and average frequency, 15 to 25 Hz. RESULTS: The mean duration of the tests was 9.9 (range, 7–30) days; tests lasting fewer than seven days were not evaluated. There were four early displacements of the electrode. In 22 of the 25 evaluable patients with fecal incontinence, there was an improvement of symptoms (88 percent), and 11 (44 percent) were completely continent to liquid or solid stools, whereas in 7 symptoms were unchanged. Mean number of episodes of liquid or solid stool incontinence per week was 8.1 (range, 4–18) in the prestimulation period and 1.7 (range, 0–12) during the peripheral nerve evaluation test. (P=0.001; Wilcoxons signed-rank test). The most important manometric findings were: increase of maximum rest pressure (39.4 ± 7.3vs. 54.3 ± 8.5 mmHg;P=0.014, Wilcoxons test) and maximum squeeze pressure (84.7 ± 8.8vs. 99.5 ± 1.1 mmHg;P=0.047), reduction of initial threshold (63.6 ± 5.2vs. 42.4 ± 4.7 ml;P=0.041) and urge sensation (123.8 ± 0.6vs. 78.3 ± 8.9 ml;P=0.05). An improvement was also found in patients with constipation, with reduction in difficulty emptying the rectum, with prestimulation at 7 (range, 2–21) episodes per week and end of peripheral nerve evaluation test at 2.1 (range, 0–6) episodes per week, (P<0.01) and in the number of unsuccessful visits to the toilet, which dropped from 29.2 (7–24) to 6.7 (0–28) per week (P=0.01). The most important manometric findings in constipated patients were an increase in amplitude of maximum squeeze pressure during sacral nerve stimulation (prestimulation, 63 ± 0 mm Hg; end of peripheral nerve evaluation test, 78 ± 1 mm Hg;P=0.009) and a reduction in rectal volume for urge threshold (prestimulation, 189 ± 52 ml; end of peripheral nerve evaluation test, 139 ± 45 ml;P= 0.004). CONCLUSIONS: In functional bowel disorders short-term sacral nerve stimulation seems to be a useful diagnostic tool to assess patients for a minor invasive therapy alternative to conventional surgical procedure.

Glyceryl trinitrate for chronic anal fissure - Healing or headache? Results of a multicenter, randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind trial

PURPOSE: Internal anal sphincterotomy for treating chronic anal fissure can irreversibly damage anal continence. Reversible chemical sphincterotomy may be achieved by anal application of glyceryl trinitrate ointment (nitric oxide donor), which has been reported to heal the majority of patients with anal fissure by inducing sphincter relaxation and improving anodermal blood flow. This trial aimed to further clarify the role of glyceryl trinitrate in the treatment of chronic anal fissure. METHODS: A total of 132 consecutive patients from nine centers were randomly assigned to receive 0.2 percent glyceryl trinitrate ointment or placebo twice daily for at least four weeks. The severity of pain and maximum anal resting pressure were measured before and after one week of treatment. Anodermal blood flow was measured before and after application of glyceryl trinitrate or placebo in ten patients. RESULTS: The study was completed by 119 patients (59 glyceryl trinitrate and 60 placebo), matched for gender, age, duration of symptoms, duration of treatment, site of fissure, previous attempts to treat, pain score, and maximum anal resting pressure. Twenty-nine patients (49.2 percent) healed after glyceryl trinitrate and 31 patients (51.7 percent) healed after placebo (P= not significant). Pain score fell significantly in both groups, in addition to maximum anal resting pressure. Anodermal blood flow improved significantly in seven patients receiving glyceryl trinitrate, but not in the three receiving placebo. Twenty-three patients (33.8 percent) experienced headache and 4 (5.9 percent), orthostatic hypotension after glyceryl trinitrate. CONCLUSION: This trial fails to demonstrate any superiority of topical 0.2 percent glyceryl trinitrate treatmentvs. a placebo, although the effects of glyceryl trinitrate on anodermal blood flow and sphincter pressure are confirmed. This finding, together with the high incidence of side-effects, should discourage the use of this treatment as a substitute for surgery in chronic anal fissure.

Results, Outcome Predictors, and Complications after Stapled Transanal Rectal Resection for Obstructed Defecation

PurposeObstructed defecation may be treated by stapled transanal rectal resection, but different complications and recurrence rates have been reported. The present study was designed to evaluate stapled transanal rectal resection results, outcome predictive factors, and nature of complications.MethodsClinical and functional data of 123 patients were retrospectively analyzed. All patients had symptoms of obstructed defecation before surgery and had rectocele and/or intussusception. Of them, 85 were operated on by the authors and 38 were referred after stapled transanal rectal resection had been performed elsewhere.ResultsAt a median follow-up of 17 (range, 3–44) months, 65 percent of the patients operated on by the authors had subjective improvement. Recurrent rectocele was present in 29 percent and recurrent intussusception was present in 28 percent of patients. At univariate analysis, results were worse in those with preoperative digitation (P < 0.01), puborectalis dyssynergia (P < 0.05), enterocele (P < 0.05), larger size rectocele (P < 0.05), lower bowel frequency (P < 0.05), and sense of incomplete evacuation (P < 0.05). Bleeding was the most common perioperative complication occurring in 12 percent of cases. Reoperations were needed in 16 patients (19 percent): 9 for recurrent disease. In the 38 patients referred after stapled transanal rectal resection, the most common problems were perineal pain (53 percent), constipation with recurrent rectocele and/or intussusception (50 percent), and incontinence (28 percent). Of these patients, 14 (37 percent) underwent reoperations: 7 for recurrence. Three patients presented with a rectovaginal fistula. One other patient died for necrotizing pelvic fasciitis.ConclusionsStapled transanal rectal resection achieved acceptable results at the cost of a high reoperation rate. Patients with puborectalis dyssynergia and lower bowel frequency may do worse because surgery does not address the causes of their constipation. Patients with large rectoceles, enteroceles, digitation, and a sense of incomplete evacuation may have more advanced pelvic floor disease for which stapled transanal rectal resection, which simply removes redundant tissue, may not be adequate. This, together with the complications observed in patients referred after stapled transanal rectal resection, suggests that this procedure should be performed by colorectal surgeons and in carefully selected patients.

Neuromodulation for fecal incontinence: Outcome in 16 patients with definitive implant

PURPOSE: Sacral nerve modulation appears to offer a valid treatment option for some patients with fecal incontinence and functional defects of the internal anal sphincter or of the striated muscle. METHODS: Sixteen patients with fecal incontinence (4 males; mean age, 51.4 (range, 27–79) years) with intact or surgically repaired (n=1) anal sphincter underwent permanent sacral nerve stimulation implant. Cause was traumatic in two patients, and associated disorders included scleroderma (2 patients) and spastic paraparesis (1 patient); eight (50 percent) of the patients also had urinary incontinence, and two (12.5 percent) had nonobstructive urinary retention. All patients were selected on the basis of positive findings from at least one peripheral nerve evaluation. The stimulating electrode was positioned in the S2 (1 patient), S3 (14 patients), or S4 (1 patient) sacral foramen. RESULTS: Mean follow-up was 15.5 (range, 3–45) months. Mean preimplant Williams score decreased from 4.1±0.9 (range, 2–5) to 1.25±0.5 (range, 1–2) (P=0.01, Wilcoxon test), and the number of incontinence accidents for liquid or solid stool in 14 days decreased from 11.5±4.8 (range, 2–20) before implant to 0.6±0.9 (range, 0–2) at the last follow-up. Important manometric data were an increase in mean maximal pressure at rest of 37.7±14.9 mmHg (implantable pulse generator 49.1±18.7,P=0.04) and in mean maximal pressure during squeeze (prestimulation 67.3±21.1 mmHg, implantable pulse generator 82.6±21.0,P=0.09). CONCLUSIONS: Neuromodulation can be considered an option for fecal incontinence. However, an accurate clinical and instrumental evaluation and careful patient selection are required to optimize outcome.

Set-up and statistical validation of a new scoring system for obstructed defaecation syndrome.

Objective  There is no objective means to assess the obstructed defaecation syndrome (ODS), to allow evaluation of outcome or to compare the efficacy of treatment including surgery. The study aimed to validate a disease‐specific index to quantify severity to allow assessment of the results of treatment in clinical trials, to permit comparison between them.

Exhaled volatile organic compounds identify patients with colorectal cancer

An effective screening tool for colorectal cancer is still lacking. Analysis of the volatile organic compounds (VOCs) linked to cancer is a new frontier in cancer screening, as tumour growth involves several metabolic changes leading to the production of specific compounds that can be detected in exhaled breath. This study investigated whether patients with colorectal cancer have a specific VOC pattern compared with the healthy population.

Long-term outcome of a multicentre randomized clinical trial of stapled haemorrhoidopexy versus Milligan–Morgan haemorrhoidectomy

Stapled haemorrhoidopexy is less painful than Milligan‐Morgan haemorrhoidectomy, allowing an earlier return to working activities, but its long‐term efficacy is not fully established. This study reports the long‐term follow‐up of a randomized clinical trial comparing the two techniques in 100 patients affected by third‐ and fourth‐degree haemorrhoids.

Prospective randomized multicentre study comparing stapler haemorrhoidopexy with Doppler-guided transanal haemorrhoid dearterialization for third-degree haemorrhoids

Aim  Doppler‐guided transanal haemorrhoid dearterialization (THD) and stapler haemorrhoidopexy (SH) have been demonstrated to be less painful than the Milligan–Morgan procedure. The aim of this study was to compare the effectiveness of THD vs SH in the treatment of third‐degree haemorrhoids in an equivalent trial.

Slow-transit constipation: Solitary symptom of a systemic gastrointestinal disease

INTRODUCTION: Autonomic neuropathy is thought to play a role in the pathogenesis of slow-transit constipation, but other gastrointestinal organs may also be involved, even if they are symptom-free. We investigated whether motility in gastrointestinal organs other than the colon was impaired in patients with slow-transit constipation and whether the autonomic nervous system was involved. METHODS: Twenty-one consecutive patients (18 females; median age, 46 years) with severe chronic constipation (≤2 defecations/week and delayed colonic transit time) were studied. Autonomic neuropathy function was tested with esophageal manometry, gastric and gallbladder emptying (fasting and postprandial motility) by ultrasonography, orocecal transit time (H2-breath test), colonic transit time (radiopaque markers), and anorectal volumetric manometry. The integrity of the autonomic nervous system was assessed by a quantitative sweat-spot test for preganglionic and postganglionic fibers, tilt-table test, and Valsalva electrocardiogram R-R ratio. RESULTS: Esophageal manometry showed gastroesophageal reflux or absence of peristalsis in five of the seven patients examined. Gallbladder dysmotility (i.e., increased fasting, postprandial residual volume, or both) was observed in 6 of 14 (43 percent) patients. Gastric emptying was decreased in 13 of 17 (76 percent) patients. Orocecal transit time was delayed in 18 of 20 (90 percent) patients; median transit time was 160 (range, 90–200) minutes. Median colonic transit time was 97 (range, 64–140) hours. Anorectal function showed abnormal rectoanal inhibitory reflex and decreased rectal sensitivity in 11 of 19 (58 percent) patients. Signs of autonomic neuropathy of the sympathetic cholinergic system were found in 14 of 18 (78 percent) patients. Only one of nine patients had vagal abnormalities detected with the Valsalva test and four of five patients with a history of orthostatic hypotension had a positive tilt-table test. CONCLUSIONS: Slow-transit constipation may be associated with impaired function of other gastrointestinal organs. More than 70 percent of patients with slow-transit constipation present some degree of autonomic neuropathy. Severe constipation may be the main complaint in patients with a systemic disease involving several organs and possibly involving the autonomic nervous system. This should be considered in the management of such cases.

The treatment of hemorrhoids: guidelines of the Italian Society of Colorectal Surgery.

The choice of the best surgical technique must always be based not only on the surgeon’s personal experience but above all on the scientific evidence supporting the superiority of one surgical technique over another. Results of the surgical treatment of hemorrhoids can be assessed on the basis of its effect on various parameters, namely postoperative pain, time taken to return to normal working and relational activities, hospital stay, the incidence of early and late complications, aesthetic and functional results, the incidence of recurrence and finally, cost. Thus, any comparison of different techniques must take into account all these factors. These guidelines aim to offer some therapeutic decision-making support based on the best scientific evidence available at the time; in other words they are to be taken as advisory rather than prescriptive rules. Therefore, they are not static but dynamic, susceptible to continual variations in concomitance with the introduction of new techniques and the accumulation of scientific evidence of their validity. The proposed guidelines are based essentially on close analysis of the international literature carried out by MedLine searches using the keyword hemorrhoids in association with hemorrhoidectomy, long-term results, randomized controlled trials, and stapler. The levels of scientific evidence of any therapeutic choice, and hence the degree of recommendation of the given technique, have been indicated in 1992 [1] and have already been accepted by several scientific societies. These levels of evidence and degrees of recommendation are summarized as follows: