David Parés

Predictive factors for successful sacral nerve stimulation in the treatment of faecal incontinence: a 10-year cohort analysis.

Objective  Sacral nerve stimulation (SNS) is an established treatment for faecal incontinence. We aimed to identify specific factors that could predict the outcome of temporary and permanent stimulation.

Large Bowel Obstruction: Predictive Factors for Postoperative Mortality

PURPOSEThe aims of this study were to assess the prognostic value for mortality of several factors in patients with colonic obstruction and to study the differences between proximal and distal obstruction.METHODSTwo-hundred and thirty-four consecutive patients who underwent emergency surgery for colonic obstruction were studied. Patients with an obstructive lesion distal to the splenic flexure were assessed as having a distal colonic obstruction. Resection and primary anastomosis was the operation of choice in selected patients. Alternative procedures were Hartmann’s procedure in high-risk patients, subtotal colectomy in cases of associated proximal colonic damage, and colostomy or intestinal bypass in the presence of irresectable lesions. Obstruction was considered proximal when the tumor was situated at the splenic flexure or proximally and a right or extended right colectomy was performed. A range of factors were investigated to estimate the probability of death: gender, age, American Society of Anesthesiologists score, nature of obstruction (benign vs. malign), location of the lesion (proximal vs. distal), associated proximal colonic damage and/or peritonitis, preoperative transfusion, preoperative renal failure, and laboratory data (hematocrit ≤30 percent, hemoglobin ≤10 g/dl, and leukocyte count >15,000/mm3). Univariate and multivariate forward steptwise logistic regression analysis was used to study the prognostic value of each significant variable in terms of mortality.RESULTSOne or more complications were detected in 109 patients (46.5 percent). Death occurred in 44 patients (18.8 percent). No differences were observed between proximal and distal obstruction. Age (>70 years), American Society of Anesthesiologists III–IV score, preoperative renal failure, and the presence of proximal colon damage with or without peritonitis were significantly associated with postoperative mortality in the univariate analysis. Only American Society of Anesthesiologists score, presence of proximal colon damage, and preoperative renal failure were significant predictors of outcome in multivariate logistic regression.CONCLUSIONLarge bowel obstruction still has a high of mortality rate. An accurate preoperative evaluation of severity factors might allow stratification of patients in terms of their mortality risk and help in the decision-making process for treatment. Such an evaluation would also enable better comparison between studies performed by different authors. Principles and stratification similar to those of distal lesions should be considered in patients with proximal colonic obstruction.

Randomized clinical study of Gastrografin administration in patients with adhesive small bowel obstruction.

Oral Gastrografin® has been used to differentiate partial from complete small bowel obstruction (SBO). It may have a therapeutic effect and predict the need for early surgery in adhesive SBO. The aim of this study was to determine whether contrast examination in the management of SBO allows an early oral intake and reduces hospital stay.

Anastomotic Dehiscence After Resection and Primary Anastomosis in Left-Sided Colonic Emergencies

PURPOSEThere is no consensus about the risk factors for anastomotic failure after elective or emergency colorectal surgery. The purpose of this study was to analyze the factors that may contribute in anastomotic dehiscence.METHODSA total of 208 patients who underwent left colonic resection and primary anastomosis for distal colonic emergencies were studied. Preoperative and operative variables analyzed for each patient were gender, age, American Society of Anesthesiologists score, comorbidities, indication for surgery, etiology of the disease, presence and grade of peritonitis, preoperative creatinine, hematocrit, hemoglobin, and leukocyte count, need for preoperative and operative transfusion. The end point was the clinical evident incidence of anastomotic leak. Bivariate comparisons of those patients with or without anastomotic leak were unpaired, and all tests of significance were two-tailed. A multivariate analysis, in which presentation of anastomotic leak was the dependent outcome variable, was performed by forward stepwise logistic regression model.RESULTSOne hundred five patients (50.4 percent) had one or more complications. Anastomotic leak was diagnosed in 12 patients (5.7 percent). Seventeen patients (8.2 percent) needed a reoperation for complication. The overall mortality was 6.2 percent (13 patients). Obesity was significant as a predictor of anastomotic leak.CONCLUSIONSObesity is a factor predicting anastomotic leak risk after resection and primary anastomosis for left-sided colonic emergencies.

Randomized clinical trial comparing inflammatory and angiogenic response after open versus laparoscopic curative resection for colonic cancer.

Several studies have suggested that laparoscopy might confer an oncological advantage in patients undergoing surgery for colonic cancer. A decreased inflammatory and angiogenic response has been proposed. This study compared the local and systemic inflammatory and angiogenic responses after open and laparoscopic surgery for colonic cancer.

Economic evaluation of sacral nerve stimulation for faecal incontinence

Sacral nerve stimulation (SNS) is an established treatment for faecal incontinence in patients who have failed conservative management. This study established the cost‐effectiveness of treating patients with SNS compared with non‐surgical treatment.

Faecal incontinence after seton treatment for anal fistulae with and without surgical division of internal anal sphincter: a systematic review

Objective  The challenge of surgery for anal fistula is to eradicate the fistula track while maintaining anal continence. Seton placement is recommended to reduce postoperative faecal incontinence but interestingly a great range of functional impairment after surgery has been published. The aim of this study was to analyse the influence of intra‐operative internal anal sphincter division during tight or cutting seton technique for cryptogenic anal fistula, on the results of recurrence and postoperative faecal incontinence.

Outpatient treatment of patients with uncomplicated acute diverticulitis.

Aim  Evidence supporting outpatient treatment with oral antibiotics in patients with uncomplicated diverticulitis is limited. Our aim was to evaluate the safety and efficacy of an ambulatory treatment protocol in patients with uncomplicated acute diverticulitis.

Emergency operations for nondiverticular perforation of the left colon

OBJECTIVE Although diverticulitis is the most common cause of large bowel perforation, other disease may result in left colonic peritonitis. The aim of this study was to evaluate and compare the incidence, management, and outcome of patients with different causes of nondiverticular left colonic perforations. PATIENTS AND METHODS From January 1992 to September 2000, 212 surgical patients underwent emergency operation for distal colonic peritonitis. Perforations were caused by diverticulitis in 133 patients (63%) and by a nondiverticular process in 79 (37%). Mortality and morbidity in patients with nondiverticular perforation of the distal large bowel its relationship with the general conditions, the grade and the cause of peritonitis were analysed. Four types of surgical procedures were used. Hartmanns procedure was performed in 40 patients (51%); intraoperative colonic lavage, resection, and primary anastomosis (ICL) in 27 patients (34%); colostomy in 7 (9%); and subtotal colectomy in 5 (6%). RESULTS Perforated neoplasm, the most common cause of peritonitis, was observed in 30 patients, colonic ischemia in 20, iatrogenia in 13, and other causes in 16 patients. One or more complications were observed in 57 patients (72%); among causes of perforation, colonic ischemia was significantly associated with the longest hospital stay and highest mortality. Eighteen patients (23%) died. CONCLUSIONS Left large bowel perforation by nondiverticular disease is associated with high mortality and morbidity. The prognosis of patients is determined by the development of septic shock and colonic ischemia, as underlying disease, may influence patient survival.

Long-term results of ileal pouch–anal anastomosis in Crohn's disease

The unexpected diagnosis of Crohns disease (CD) after restorative proctocolectomy is a relatively frequent occurrence. We report a retrospective analysis of the long-term development of patients with an ileal pouch–anal anastomosis (IPAA) in whom the definitive anatomopathological diagnosis was CD, and compare their development with that of patients in whom the diagnosis of ulcerative colitis (UC) was confirmed. We reviewed the clinical data of 112 patients with an IPAA. The definitive diagnosis was CD in 12, and UC in the rest. The mean follow-up period was 76 months (range 12 to 192). We analyzed and compared the epidemiologic and clinical data, postoperative complications, functional results, anxiety, and quality of life in the two groups. Postoperative morbidity and the degree of satisfaction were similar in the two groups. The test showed a lower level of anxiety and higher quality of life in patients with CD. Of all the functional parameters studied, only urgency of defecation presented a higher risk in the CD group (HR: 4.13, CI: 1.41–12.04, p = 0.027). Despite the fact that a diagnosis of CD is currently considered a contraindication for an IPAA, some patients with secondary diagnosis of CD have good functional outcome and quality of life after restorative proctocolectomy. Closure of the temporary ileostomy may be justified in these patients.