Oliver M. Jones

Chronic Anal Fissure

The treatment of chronic anal fissure has shifted in recent years from surgical to medical.

Local recurrence after stenting for obstructing left‐sided colonic cancer

Self‐expanding metallic stents (SEMS) may be used in acute obstructing left‐sided colonic cancers to avoid high‐risk emergency surgery. However, oncological safety remains uncertain. This study evaluated the long‐term oncological outcome of SEMS as a bridge to elective curative surgery versus emergency resection.

Fissurectomy-Botulinum Toxin: A Novel Sphincter-Sparing Procedure for Medically Resistant Chronic Anal Fissure

BACKGROUNDBotulinum toxin heals only approximately one-half of glyceryl trinitrate-resistant chronic anal fissures, perhaps because chemical sphincterotomy alone treats internal sphincter spasm but not chronic fissure fibrosis. We aimed to assess whether a novel procedure, fissurectomy–botulinum toxin, improves the healing rate of medically resistant fissures over that achieved with botulinum toxin alone.METHODSA prospective pilot study of chronic fissure patients failing medical therapy was undertaken. Fissurectomy was performed, with excision of the fibrotic fissure edges, curetting of the fissure base, and excision of the sentinel pile if present. Twenty-five units of botulinum toxin (Botox™) were injected into the internal sphincter. The primary end point was fissure healing, and secondary end points were improvement in symptoms, need for lateral internal sphincterotomy, and side effects.RESULTSThirty patients underwent fissurectomy–botulinum toxin (57 percent female; median age, 39 years). Nineteen patients had failed glyceryl trinitrate, whereas 11 had failure of both glyceryl trinitrate and botulinum toxin. At a median of 16.4 weeks follow-up, 28 fissures (93 percent) were healed. Two fissures (7 percent) remained unhealed but were symptomatically better and avoided lateral internal sphincterotomy. Two patients (7 percent) experienced transitory flatus incontinence.CONCLUSIONFissurectomy–botulinum toxin heals over 90 percent of fissures resistant to medical therapy. Fissurectomy–botulinum toxin allows patients with medically resistant fissures to achieve a high rate of healing while avoiding the risk of incontinence associated with lateral internal sphincterotomy.

Single-Port Laparoscopic Total Colectomy for Medically Uncontrolled Colitis

PURPOSE: New-generation multi-instrument ports for laparoscopic surgery now allow abdominal surgery via a single-access small incision. Here, we detail how laparoscopic total colectomy can be safely performed within the constraints of such single site operating. METHODS: Three patients (2 males and 1 female; mean age, 28.3 y; mean body mass index, 24.1 kg/m2) requiring urgent total colectomy with end ileostomy for colitis resistant to medical therapy fully consented to have their operation performed by a single-port laparoscopic approach. The single port was placed at the site marked preoperatively for the end ileostomy. The operation commenced with rectosigmoid transection and proceeded with a close pericolic dissection proximally along the colon to the cecum. The resected colon was withdrawn via the port site and the end ileostomy fashioned within this wound. RESULTS: The operation was safely completed in its entirety without additional abdominal access in each case. Mean operative time was 206 minutes. All patients are well with normal stoma appearance and function at a minimum follow-up of 4 months. CONCLUSION: Judicious patient selection and considered operative technique allow major resectional colonic surgery to be safely performed solely by a single-port technique. Proof of clinical benefit along with refined instrumentation is required if such surgery is to progress from anecdotal reports to mainstream practice.

Patterns of Fecal Incontinence After Anal Surgery

PURPOSEConservative anal surgery, with maximum preservation of the anal sphincters and continence, is becoming increasingly possible with the emergence of new sphincter-sparing treatments. Many surgeons remain skeptical, however, of the nature and impact of incontinence after anal surgery. We aimed to characterize the patterns of anal sphincter injury in patients with fecal incontinence after anal surgery.METHODSWe reviewed our fecal incontinence database and studied a subset developing incontinence after anal surgery. Maximum resting and squeeze pressures and the distal high-pressure zone to mid–anal canal resting pressure gradient were evaluated. Anal ultrasounds were evaluated and specific postoperative lesions were characterized.RESULTSPatterns of sphincter injury in 93 patients with fecal incontinence after manual dilation, internal sphincterotomy, fistulotomy, and hemorrhoidectomy were studied. The internal sphincter was almost universally injured, in a pattern specific to the underlying procedure. One-third of patients had a related surgical external sphincter injury. Two-thirds of women had an unrelated obstetric external sphincter injury. The distal resting pressure was typically reduced, with reversal of the normal resting pressure gradient of the anal canal in 89 percent of patients. Maximum squeeze pressure was normal in 52 percent.CONCLUSIONIncontinence after anal surgery is characterized by the virtually universal presence of an internal sphincter injury, which is distal in the high-pressure zone, resulting in a reversal of the normal resting pressure gradient in the anal canal. These data support concerns that non–sphincter-sparing anal surgery leads to fecal incontinence and is increasingly difficult to justify given the availability of modern sphincter-sparing approaches.

Botulinum Toxin as Second-Line Therapy for Chronic Anal Fissure Failing 0.2 Percent Glyceryl Trinitrate

AbstractPURPOSE: Glyceryl trinitrate paste is used by many as first-line therapy for chronic anal fissure but heals only approximately 50 to 60 percent of fissures. We use botulinum toxin as second-line therapy after failed glyceryl trinitrate and aimed to evaluate efficacy, side effects, and patient preference. METHODS: A prospective, nonrandomized, open-label study of patients with chronic anal fissure failing a course of glyceryl trinitrate treated with 20 units of botulinum toxin A injected into the internal sphincter was conducted. Symptomatic relief, visual healing of fissures, side effects, and patient preference were assessed at 8-week follow-up. RESULTS: Forty patients underwent botulinum toxin treatment. Twenty-nine patients (73 percent) overall were improved symptomatically and avoided surgery. Seventeen fissures (43 percent) were healed, whereas 23 fissures (57 percent) remained unhealed. Of the unhealed fissures, 5 (12 percent) were asymptomatic, 7 (18 percent) were symptomatically much improved, and 11 (27 percent) were no better symptomatically and came to surgery. Discomfort associated with injection was minimal. Of 34 patients undergoing botulinum toxin injection in the clinic, 24 (71 percent) preferred botulinum toxin, 7 glyceryl trinitrate (20 percent; difference = 51 percent; 95 percent confidence interval = 31–71 percent), and 9 percent were undecided. Transient minor incontinence symptoms were noted in 7 patients (18 percent). CONCLUSIONS: Second-line botulinum toxin injection improves symptoms in approximately three-quarters of patients after failed primary glyceryl trinitrate therapy and at least in the short term avoids surgical sphincterotomy. Botulinum toxin heals approximately one-half of these fissures. Discomfort and side effects were minimal. A policy of first-line glyceryl trinitrate/second-line botulinum toxin will avoid sphincterotomy in 85 to 90 percent. Higher rates of healing may be achieved by giving botulinum toxin as first-line therapy, or addressing the chronic fibrotic nature of the fissure.

Mechanism of action of botulinum toxin on the internal anal sphincter

Botulinum toxin is an effective treatment for anal fissure. Manometric studies support an apparent action of botulinum toxin on the internal anal sphincter (IAS). This aim of this study was to establish the underlying mechanism.

Botulinum toxin injection inhibits myogenic tone and sympathetic nerve function in the porcine internal anal sphincter

Objective  Botulinum toxin is an effective treatment for anal fissure, though there is a lack of agreement over the optimal site for its injection. This reflects our current ignorance of its mechanism, and whether it has any action on the nerves of the internal anal sphincter (IAS). This study set out to resolve this issue through use of a pig model.

Step-wise integration of single-port laparoscopic surgery into routine colorectal surgical practice by use of a surgical glove port

IntroductionThe cost associated with single-port laparoscopic access devices may limit utilisation of single-port laparoscopic surgery by colorectal surgeons. This paper describes a simple and cheap access modality that has facilitated the widespread adoption of single-port technology in our practice both as a stand-alone procedure and as a useful adjunct to traditional multiport techniques.MethodsA surgical glove port is constructed by applying a standard glove onto the rim of the wound protector/retractor used during laparoscopic resectional colorectal surgery. To illustrate its usefulness, we present our total experience to date and highlight a selection of patients presenting for a range of elective colorectal surgery procedures.ResultsThe surgical glove port allowed successful completion of 25 single-port laparoscopic procedures (including laparoscopic adhesiolysis, ileo-rectal anastomosis, right hemicolectomy, total colectomy and low anterior resection) and has been used as an adjunct in over 80 additional multiport procedures (including refashioning of a colorectal anastomosis made after specimen extraction during a standard multiport laparoscopic anterior resection).ConclusionsThis simple, efficient device can allow use of single-port laparoscopy in a broader spectrum of patients either in isolation or in combination with multiport surgery than may be otherwise possible for economic reasons. By separating issues of cost from utility, the usefulness of the technical advance inherent within single-port laparoscopy for colorectal surgery can be better appreciated. We endorse the creative innovation inherent in this approach as surgical practice continues to evolve for ever greater patient benefit.

Laparoscopic ventral rectopexy for fecal incontinence associated with high-grade internal rectal prolapse.

BACKGROUND: The role of internal rectal prolapse in the origin of fecal incontinence remains to be defined. In our institution, laparoscopic ventral rectopexy is offered to patients with high-grade internal prolapse and fecal incontinence. OBJECTIVE: The present study was designed to evaluate the functional outcome after laparoscopic ventral rectopexy in patients with fecal incontinence associated with high-grade internal rectal prolapse. DESIGN: This study was designed as a prospective observational study. SETTINGS: The study took place in a university hospital. PATIENTS: Between 2009 and 2011, 72 patients with fecal incontinence not responding to maximum medical treatment (including biofeedback) were included. All patients had a grade III or grade IV rectal prolapse. INTERVENTION: Laparoscopic ventral rectopexy was performed. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Preoperative endoanal ultrasonography and anorectal manometry were performed. Fecal continence was evaluated by using the Rockwood Fecal Incontinence Severity Index score before and 1 year after surgery. RESULTS: The median fecal incontinence severity index score 1 year after surgery was lower than the median score before surgery (15 versus 31; p < 0.01), representing an improvement in fecal continence. LIMITATIONS: This was a preliminary observational study with no control group, no postoperative proctography, and no postoperative anal physiology. CONCLUSION: Laparoscopic ventral rectopexy can improve symptoms of fecal incontinence in patients with a high-grade internal rectal prolapse. Internal rectal prolapse contributes to the multifactorial origin of fecal incontinence.