Hak-Mien Quah

Perforation of the Gastrointestinal Tract Secondary to Ingestion of Foreign Bodies

Ingesting a foreign body (FB) is not an uncommon occurrence. Most pass through the gastrointestinal (GI) tract uneventfully, and perforation is rare. The aim of this study was to report our experience with ingested FB perforations of the GI tract treated surgically at our institution. A total of 62 consecutive patients who underwent surgery for an ingested FB perforation of the GI tract between 1990 and 2005 were retrospectively reviewed. Three patients with no definite FB demonstrated intraoperatively were included. The patients had a median age of 58 years, and 37 (60%) were male. Of the 59 FBs recovered, 55 (93%) were toothpicks and dietary FBs such as fish bones or bone fragments. A definitive preoperative history of FB ingestion was obtained for only two patients, and 36 of 52 patients (69%) wore dentures. Altogether, 18 (29%) perforations occurred in the anus or distal rectum, and 44 perforations were intraabdominal, with the most common abdominal site being the distal ileum (39%). Patients with FB perforations in the stomach, duodenum, and large intestine were significantly more likely to be afebrile (P = 0.043), to have chronic symptoms (> 3 days) (P < 0.001), to have a normal total white blood cell count (P < 0.001), and to be asymptomatic or present with an abdominal mass or abscess (P < 0.001) compared to those with FB perforations in the jejunum and ileum. Ingested FB perforation in the adult population is most commonly secondary to unconscious accidental ingestion and is frequently caused by dietary FBs especially fish bones. A preoperative history of FB ingestion is thus rarely obtained, although wearing dentures is a common risk factor. FB perforations of the stomach, duodenum, and large intestine tend to present with a longer, more innocuous clinical picture than perforations in the jejunum or ileum.

Meta-analysis of randomized clinical trials comparing drainage alone vs primary sphincter-cutting procedures for anorectal abscess–fistula

Background and aimConcurrent definitive treatment of underlying fistulas from infected anal glands at the time when the anorectal abscesses are drained is controversial as this is associated with a higher incidence of faecal incontinence, failure and recurrence. This meta-analysis was conducted to determine the merits of drainage alone vs primary sphincter-cutting procedures (which includes fistulotomy and fistulectomy) for anorectal abscess–fistula.MethodsMedline, Embase and Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials database searches identified all randomized controlled trials using the keywords: anorectal abscess, anal sepsis, drainage, fistulotomy, fistulectomy or surgery from 1966 to 2004. The outcome variables analysed were recurrence, faecal continence and wound-healing times.ResultsFive trials were considered suitable for the meta-analysis, with a total of 405 patients. Sphincter-cutting procedures for anorectal abscesses resulted in 83% reduction in recurrence rate [relative risk (RR) 0.17, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.09–0.32, p<0.001]. However, there was a tendency to a higher risk of faecal incontinence to flatus and soiling when primary sphincter-cutting procedure was performed (RR 2.46, 95% CI 0.75–8.06, p=0.140).ConclusionThere is no conclusive evidence if simple drainage or sphincter-cutting procedure is better in the treatment of anorectal abscess–fistula.

Predictive Factors of Malignancy in Adults with Intussusception

Adult intussusception is an unusual entity, and its etiology differs from that in pediatric patients. The aim of this study was to evaluate our experience of 60 adult patients with intussusception and determine if there are any preoperative factors predictive of malignancy. The records of 60 adult patients (> 18 years of age) with a diagnosis of intussusception surgically treated at Singapore General Hospital and Changi General Hospital between 1990 and 2004 were retrospectively reviewed. The intussusceptions were classified as enteric or colonic. Preoperative predictive factors of malignancy were analyzed using univariate and multivariate analyses, and P < 0.05 was considered statistically significant. There were 60 patients with a median age of 57.5 years (range 21–85 years). Altogether, 34 (56.7%) patients were male, and there were 31 enteric and 29 colonic intussusceptions. A lead point was identified in 54 patients (90%). A total of 22 (36.7%) patients presented with intestinal obstruction, and the correct preoperative diagnosis of intussusception was made in 31 patients (51.7%). Computed tomography was the most useful diagnostic modality, correctly identifying an intussusception in 24 of 30 patients. A malignant pathology was present in 8 of 31 (26%) enteric versus 20 of 29 (69%) colonic intussusceptions. Age (P = 0.009), the presence of anemia (P < 0.001), and the site of the intussusception (P = 0.001) showed significant differences between the benign and malignant groups by univariate analyses. On multivariate analysis, intussusception in the colon (P = 0.004) and the presence of anemia (P = 0.001) were independent predictive factors of malignancy. Adult intussusception is most commonly secondary to a pathologic lead point. The site of intussusception in the colon and the presence of anemia are independent preoperative predictors of malignancy. All colonic intussusceptions should be resected en bloc without reduction, whereas a more selective approach can be applied for enteric intussusceptions.

Laparoscopic high anterior resection with natural orifice specimen extraction (NOSE) for early rectal cancer.

Laparoscopic surgery for colorectal cancer requires an abdominal incision to extract the resected specimen. We describe a technique for laparoscopic resection of an early-stage upper rectal cancer in a 51-year-old man followed by transanal specimen delivery, hence avoiding the need for making any additional abdominal incisions for retrieval of the specimen. Pneumoperitoneum was created, followed by medial-tolateral mobilization of the sigmoid colon, and take down of the splenic flexure and division of the inferior mesenteric vessels laparoscopically. The upper rectum distal to the tumour and proximal colon was transected with a laparoscopic stapler. The specimen was retrieved transanally via an opening in the rectal stump. The proximal colon was then delivered transanally and the anvil of the circular stapler inserted before returning it to the pelvic cavity. The rectal stump was transected again just below the opening to close off the stump, and the colorectal anastomosis was then completed intracorporeally. The patient, a 51-year-old male (BMI 18.6 kg/m2) with a 2.5-cm, early-stage posterior rectal cancer 12 cm from the anal verge, underwent the above-described procedure. Postoperative recovery was uneventful. He resumed normal daily activities 1 week after surgery. Histology confirmed a T1N0 upper rectal cancer. In the effort to minimize surgical trauma and postoperative pain, natural orifice specimen extraction techniques have been attempted. This procedure may be applicable to benign tumours and early colorectal cancer, and serves as an intermediate step between laparoscopic and natural orifice surgery.

Prospective randomized crossover trial comparing fibre with lactulose in the treatment of idiopathic chronic constipation

AbstractBackgroundFibre is often recommended as the first-choice treatment but its effects can be uneven. The aim of the study was to compare the clinical efficacy and tolerability of fibre versus lactulose in outpatients with chronic constipation.MethodsIn a prospective randomized crossover trial, patients were randomized to receive fibre or lactulose for four weeks. Between treatments, patients had at least one week free of laxatives.Results50 patients, of median age 50 years (range, 18–85) were recruited and 39 patients completed the trial. Compared to fibre, lactulose resulted in significantly higher mean bowel frequency (7.3, 95% CI 5.7 to 8.9 vs. 5.5, 95% CI 4.4 to 6.5; p=0.001) and stool consistency score (3.4, 95% CI 3.1 to 3.7 vs. 2.9, 95% CI 2.5 to 3.3; p=0.018). Scores for ease of evacuation were similar. The frequencies of adverse effects were not significantly different, but greater in the lactulose group. Mean patients’ recorded improvement score was significantly higher after taking lactulose than fibre (6.2, 95% CI 5.5 to 7.0 vs. 4.8, 95% CI 4.0 to 5.9; p=0.017). Of the 39 patients who completed the trial, 24 (61.5%) preferred lactulose and 14 (35.9%) preferred fibre.Conclusions Lactulose had better efficacy than fibre for chronic constipation in ambulant patients, although both treatments were equally well tolerated in terms of adverse effects.

A prospective study assessing anal plug for containment of faecal soilage and incontinence

Objective  Faecal incontinence is a common and embarrassing problem for many individuals. Some patients remained symptomatic despite the availability of different treatments. There is a limited range of commercially available products designed to cope with faecal incontinence. The anal plug has been developed to contain the loss of stool. This study aimed to evaluate the use of anal plug in Asian patients with intractable faecal soilage and incontinence judged by clinical and functional outcomes.