Hagit Tulchinsky

Gracilis muscle transposition for fistulas between the rectum and urethra or vagina.

PurposeThis study was designed to assess the efficacy of gracilis muscle transposition in repairing rectovaginal and rectourethral fistulas.MethodsData were retrieved from a retrospective chart review of patients who underwent gracilis muscle transposition for fistulas between the rectum and urethra/vagina. All patients had fecal diversion as a preliminary or concurrent step to fistula repair. Follow-up data were gathered from outpatient clinic visits. Success was defined as a healed fistula after stoma closure.ResultsSix females and three males, aged 30 to 64 years, underwent gracilis muscle transpositions from 1999 to 2005. One pouch-vaginal, three rectourethral, and five rectovaginal fistulas were repaired. The etiologies were Crohns disease (n = 2), iatrogenic injury to the rectum during radical prostatectomy (n = 2), previous pelvic irradiation for rectal cancer (n = 2) or for cervical cancer (n = 1), recurrent perianal abscesses with fistulas (n = 1), and obstetric tear (n = 1). Seven patients underwent previous medical and surgical repair attempts. There were no intraoperative complications. Postoperative complications included perineal wound infection (n = 1) and at the colostomy closure (n = 2). There were no long-term sequelae. At a median follow-up period of 14 (range, 1–66) months since stoma closure, the fistula healed in seven patients. One patient refused ileostomy closure. One patient with severe Crohns proctitis has a persistent rectovaginal fistula.ConclusionsGracilis muscle transposition is a viable option for repairing fistulas between the urethra, vagina, and the rectum, especially after failed perineal or transanal repairs. It is associated with low morbidity and a good success rate. Underlying Crohns disease and previous radiation are associated with poor prognosis.

CXCL12 Is a constitutive and inflammatory chemokine in the intestinal immune system

Background: Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is characterized by increased lymphocytic infiltrate to the lamina propria (LP) and upregulation of inflammatory chemokines and receptors. CXCL12 is a constitutive chemokine involved in lung, brain, and joint inflammation. We hypothesized that CXCL12 and its receptor, CXCR4, would have a constitutive and inflammatory role in the gut. Methods: Intestinal epithelial cells (IECs) and T lymphocytes were isolated from intestinal mucosa of IBD and control patients undergoing bowel resection. Autologous T cells were isolated from peripheral blood (PB). CXCL12 and CXCR4 expression by IECs was assessed by polymerase chain reaction and immunohistochemistry, lymphocyte phenotype by flow cytometry, and migration by Transwells. Results: IECs expressed CXCL12 and expression was increased and more diffuse in IBD compared to normal crypts (ulcerative colitis [UC] > Crohns disease [CD], inflamed > noninflamed). CXCR4 was expressed by IECs, LP T cells (LPTs), and PB T cells (PBTs), and CXCR4+ cells were increased in IBD LP in situ. PBTs and LPTs from all patients had a high and comparable migration toward CXCL12 (P < 0.0001 and P < 0.05 vs. medium, respectively). Migration toward IBD‐IEC‐derived supernatant was significantly higher compared to normal. Antibodies against CXCR4 and CXCL12 blocked migration. Conclusions: CXCL12 is expressed by normal IECs and upregulated and differentially distributed in IBD IECs. CXCR4 is expressed by IECs and LPTs, and CXCR4+ cells are significantly increased in IBD LP. CXCL12 is chemotactic for both PBTs and LPTs. Thus, CXCL12 and CXCR4 have a constitutive and inflammatory role in the intestinal mucosa and their selective therapeutic manipulation may be considered in IBD management. (Inflamm Bowel Dis 2009;)

Wound infection after ileostomy closure: a prospective randomized study comparing primary vs. delayed primary closure techniques

BackgroundClosure of ileostomy is considered a contaminated operation. The infection rate of the stoma wound is ≥30%. Several ileostomy–closure techniques intended to reduce the high rate of infection have been described in the literature. Among them, delayed primary closure of the stoma wound is a commonly used method that was reported to reduce the infection rate according to several retrospective studies. We therefore conducted the first prospective randomized trial comparing primary with delayed primary closure of a stoma wound.MethodsDuring 2003, 40 patients were admitted to our ward for closure of ileostomy. The ileostomies were taken down by the same team using the same surgical technique except for the technique of wound closure. We randomly divided the patients into two groups. In Group 1 (n = 20), the wound was left open for delayed primary closure and not closed until postoperative day 4. In Group 2, the wound was primarily closed at the end of the procedure.ResultsThe total wound infection rate was relatively low (15%). Infection occurred more frequently (4 cases, 20%) in Group 1 than in Group 2 (2 cases, 10%). The length of hospital stay was similar for both groups.ConclusionsIn this first prospective comparison of two techniques during ileostomy take down, primary closure unexpectedly produced less wound infection than delayed primary closure.

Prospective, Multicenter Evaluation of Highly Concentrated Fibrin Glue in the Treatment of Complex Cryptogenic Perianal Fistulas

PURPOSEThe surgical management of complex perianal fistulas is challenging and may be associated with the risk of sphincter injury. Instillation of fibrin glue to the fistula tract is a simple procedure that does not involve any muscle division, and potentially results in healing of the fistula. This study was designed to assess the use of highly concentrated fibrin glue with intra-adhesive antibiotics in the treatment of complex cryptogenic perianal fistulas.METHODSPatients with complex perianal fistulas of cryptogenic origin were prospectively included in this multicenter study. Injection of the fibrin glue mixed with antibiotics was performed in a uniform fashion. After the procedure, patients were actively examined at fixed time intervals; in cases of recurrent fistula, reinjection of fibrin glue was offered.RESULTSSixty patients were enrolled; complete healing of the fistula was achieved in 32 patients (53 percent). Eight of 28 patients (29 percent) who were not completely healed had significant symptomatic improvement. All patients resumed normal daily activity the day after surgery and none had any deterioration in continence related to the procedure. The majority of the 26 (43 percent) adverse events were considered mild and spontaneously resolved; 2 patients (3 percent) with perianal septic complications were successfully treated by drainage.CONCLUSIONSInjection of fibrin glue for the treatment of perianal fistulas is safe, simple, and associated with early return to normal activity. Although moderately successful, it may preclude extensive surgery in more than one-half of these patients.

Colorectal carcinoma in inflammatory bowel disease: a comparison between Crohn’s and ulcerative colitis

Aim  The study assessed the clinicopathological features and survival rates of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) patients with colorectal carcinoma (CRC), which accounts for ∼15% of all IBD associated death.

Urinary Bladder Catheter Drainage Following Pelvic Surgery-Is It Necessary for That Long?

PURPOSE: Urinary bladder drainage for several days after pelvic surgery is a common surgical practice, despite insufficient evidence supporting its routine use. The aim of this study was to prospectively evaluate the utility of urinary bladder drainage after pelvic colorectal surgery. METHODS: Patients undergoing pelvic surgery were prospectively randomly assigned to 3 groups. In group A, the Foley catheter was removed on postoperative day 1, and in groups B and C it was removed on postoperative days 3 and 5, respectively. Male patients with severe prostatic symptoms were excluded from the study. The main outcome criterion was acute urinary retention requiring reinsertion of the Foley catheter. RESULTS: A total of 118 patients (68 males) at a mean age of 55 years were included in this study (group A, 41 patients; group B, 38; and group C, 39). Overall, urinary retention after removal of the Foley catheter occurred in 12 (10%) of the patients: 6 (14.6%) in group A, 2 (5.3%) in group B, and 4 (10.5%) in group C (P = .39). Symptomatic urinary tract infection was diagnosed in 5 patients in group A, 3 in group B, and 9 in group C, but this difference did not reach statistical significance. Likewise, there were no significant differences in anastomotic leak and intra-abdominal abscess rates among the 3 groups. CONCLUSIONS: Routine prolonged urinary bladder catheterization after pelvic surgery may not be required, and the Foley catheter may be safely removed on postoperative day 1. Larger studies are needed to confirm the findings of this study.

The effect of neoadjuvant Imatinib therapy on outcome and survival after rectal gastrointestinal stromal tumour.

Aim  The study aimed to characterize the pathological and clinical response of rectal gastrointestinal stromal tumours (GISTs) to neoadjuvant Imatinib.

Can Rectal Cancers With Pathologic T0 After Neoadjuvant Chemoradiation (ypT0) Be Treated by Transanal Excision Alone

BackgroundPatients with rectal cancer who have complete rectal wall tumor regression after neoadjuvant chemoradiation probably have eradication of tumor cells in the mesorectum as well, thus raising the possibility of transanal excision.MethodsAll pathology reports of all patients with locally advanced low and mid rectal cancer who underwent preoperative chemoradiation followed by radical resection from May 2000 to June 2004 were reviewed to evaluate the correlation between complete tumor response (ypT0) and nodal response.ResultsOne hundred one consecutive patients had neoadjuvant chemoradiation followed by definitive operation. Four were excluded, leaving 64 men and 33 women (median age, 62 years). Fifty-three patients (55%) had mid rectal cancer, and 44 (45%) had low rectal cancer. Fifty-eight patients (60%) underwent low anterior resection, and 36 (37%) underwent abdominoperineal resection. In 17 patients (18%), no residual tumor cells were present within the rectal wall. One patient (6%) with ypT0 disease had positive lymph nodes.ConclusionsNo residual tumor in the rectal wall correlates with the absence of viable cancer cells in the mesorectal tissue (94%). Approximately 10% of T1 tumors have involved lymph nodes, and local excision is an accepted option. Transanal excision could probably be considered in a highly selected group of patients with a mural pathologic complete response to neoadjuvant therapy. This approach should be prospectively investigated, and strict selection guidelines should be used.

Extramammary Paget's disease of the perianal region

Objective  Perianal Pagets disease (PPD) is a rare entity. The standard treatment for either in situ or invasive extra mammary Pagets disease (EMPD) is surgical excision. Local recurrence and morbidity from surgery, especially in the elderly, can, however, be high. The aim of this article is to review our experience with PPD and question the currently preferred treatment approaches in light of its histopathology and therapeutic outcome.

Long-term results of fibrin glue treatment for cryptogenic perianal fistulas: a multicenter study.

BACKGROUND: Instillation of fibrin glue, a simple and safe procedure, has been shown to have a moderate short-term success rate in the treatment of cryptogenic perianal fistulas. OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to assess the long-term outcome of this procedure. DESIGN: This study included a retrospective chart review and telephone interviews. SETTINGS: This study was conducted at 4 university-affiliated medical centers. PATIENTS: Patients were included who underwent fibrin glue instillation for complex cryptogenic fistula between 2002 and 2003 within a prospective trial and had successful healing. INTERVENTIONS: Fibrin glue was instilled for complex cryptogenic fistula. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: The main outcome measure was long-term fistula healing. RESULTS: Sixty patients participated in the initial trial; the fistulas in 32 of these patients were healed at 6 months. We have located and interviewed 23 (72%) of those patients. Seventeen (74%) patients remained disease free at a mean follow-up of 6.5 years. Six (26%) patients had variable degrees of recurrence; 4 needed further surgical intervention and 2 were treated with antibiotics only. Recurrent disease occurred at an average of 4.1 years (range, 11 mo to 6 y) from surgery, and on several occasions was at a different location in the perianal region. None of the patients experienced incontinence following the procedure. LIMITATIONS: The retrospective nature of this long-term follow-up was a limitation. Twenty-eight percent of the potentially eligible patients were lost to long-term follow-up. CONCLUSIONS: Short-term success of fibrin glue in the treatment of cryptogenic perianal fistula is predictive of long-term healing, but a quarter of those healed in the short term may develop recurrent symptoms in the long run. Injection of fibrin glue remains a safe and simple procedure and may preclude extensive surgery.