Pedro S. Aguilar

T-level downstaging and complete pathologic response after preoperative chemoradiation for advanced rectal cancer result in decreased recurrence and improved disease-free survival.

AbstractPURPOSE: Preoperative chemoradiation therapy is used widely in the treatment of rectal cancer. The predictive value of response to neoadjuvant remains uncertain. We retrospectively evaluated the impact of response to preoperative and, specifically, of T-level downstaging, nodal downstaging, and complete pathologic response after chemoradiation therapy on oncologic outcome of patients with locally advanced rectal cancer. METHODS: There were 88 patients with ultrasound Stage T3/T4 midrectal (n = 37) and low rectal (n = 51) cancers (63 males; mean age 62.6 years). All patients were treated by preoperative 5-fluorouracil-based chemotherapy and pelvic radiation followed by surgical resection in six weeks or longer (56 sphincter-preserving resections). RESULTS: T-level downstaging after neoadjuvant treatment was demonstrated in 36 (41 percent) of 88 patients, and complete pathologic response was observed in 16 (18 percent) of the 88. Of the 42 patients with ultrasound-positive nodes, 27 had no evidence of nodal involvement on pathologic evaluation (64 percent). The overall response rate (T-level downstaging or nodal downstaging) was 51 percent. At a median follow-up of 33 months, 86.4 percent of patients were alive. The overall recurrence rate was 10.2 percent (three patients had local and six had metastatic recurrences). Patients with T-level downstaging and complete pathologic response were characterized by significantly better disease-free survival (P = 0.03, P = 0.04) and better overall survival (P = 0.07, P = 0.08), according to Wilcoxon’s test comparing Kaplan-Meier survival curves. None of the patients with complete pathologic response developed recurrence or died during the follow-up period. CONCLUSION: T-level downstaging and complete pathologic response after preoperative chemoradiation therapy followed by definitive surgical resection for advanced rectal cancer resulted in decreased recurrence and improved disease-free survival. Advanced rectal cancers that undergo T-level downstaging and complete pathologic response after chemoradiation therapy may represent subgroups that are characterized by better biologic behavior.

Colonoscopic bowel preparations—which one?: A blinded, prospective, randomized trial

For the past decade peroral, orthograde, polyethylene glycol-electrolyte lavage solutions (PEG-ELS) have been the preferred bowel-cleansing regimens before diagnostic and therapeutic procedures on the colon and rectum. The large volume and unpalatibility of these solutions may lead to troubling side effects and poor patient compliance. PURPOSE: This study was undertaken to determine which of various colon-cleansing methods before colonoscopy would provide greater patient acceptance while maintaining similar or improved effectiveness and safety. METHODS: Three hundred twenty-nine patients undergoing elective ambulatory colonoscopy were prospectively randomized to one of three bowel preparation regimens. Group 1 received 41 of PEG-ELS (n=124). Group 2, in addition to PEG-ELS, received oral metoclopramide (n=99). Group 3 received oral sodium phosphate (n=106). All groups were evenly matched according to age and sex. RESULTS: Ninety-one percent of all patients completed the preparation received. Sixteen percent of patients suffered significant sleep loss with a bowel preparation. When comparing the three groups, there was no difference in the assessment of nausea, vomiting, abdominal cramps, anal irritation, or quality of the preparation. Compared with other preparations, oral sodium phosphate was better tolerated. More patients completed the preparation (P⩽0.001). Fewer patients complained of abdominal fullness (P⩽0.001). More patients were willing to repeat their preparation (P⩽0.02). Also, sodium phosphate was found to be four times less expensive than either of the PEG-ELS preparations. CONCLUSION: All regimens were found to be equally effective. Abdominal symptoms and bowel preparation were not influenced by the addition of metoclopramide. The oral sodium phosphate preparation was less expensive, better tolerated, and more likely to be completed than either of the other preparations.

Rectocele repair. Four years' experience.

A retrospective review of 64 rectocele repairs done over a four-year period was performed. The most common indication for repair was constipation. Thirty-five patients were repaired transanally, and 29 were repaired transvaginally. The overall morbidity was 34 percent, and the overall mortality was 0 percent. The most common complication was urinary retention in 12.5 percent. There was no difference in complications between techniques. Of 46 patients contacted for follow-up, 25 (54 percent) still complained of constipation, 17 (34 percent) had partial incontinence, 8 (17 percent) noted persistent rectal pain, 15 (32 percent) mentioned occasional rectal bleeding, and 10 (22 percent) complained of vaginal tightness or sexual dysfunction. Thirty-seven (80 percent) patients stated that they had improved after surgery. Except for persistent rectal pain, there was no difference in results between transanal and transvaginal repairs. Those undergoing transvaginal repair had a much greater problem with pain. Our relatively poor results may be due to an unselective approach to rectocele repair. The presence of both constipation and a rectocele does not imply an association, and a complete anorectal physiologic examination should precede repair. There is no functional difference between transvaginal and transanal rectocele repair.

Mucosal advancement in the treatment of anal fistula

One hundred eighty-nine patients with anal fistula treated within an eight-month to seven-year period by anal fistulectomy and rectal mucosal advancement are presented. An 80 percent follow-up revealed a 90 percent asymptomatic group and a ten percent group who had minor symptoms. Eight percent of the symptomatic patients had minor soiling; 7 percent were incontinent for gas, and 6 percent were incontinent for loose stools. No patient was incontinent for solid feces. There was a 1.5 percent rate of recurrent anal fistula comparable to other techniques.

Initial clinical experience with a biofragmentable ring for sutureless bowel anastomosis.

Twenty-seven patients have had bowel anastomoses with a biofragmentable ring for sutureless bowel anastomosis. There were no complications associated with the anastomotic techique. One patient developed an ischemic stricture of the proximal side of the anastomosis due to compromised circulation. There was no leakage. Technical factors regarding the BAR anastomosis are described. A properly placed purse-string suture is of primary importance. Advantages appear to be a more rapid and easy anastomosis with better healing.

Abdominal colon and rectal operations in the elderly.

Sixty-seven abdominal operations for colon and rectal disorders were performed on 56 patients 80 years of age or older from January 1, 1984 to June 30, 1989. Nine patients required multiple operations. Sixty-two procedures (92 percent) were performed on patients in their ninth decade; two operations were performed on patients 95 years of age or older. Forty-five patients (80 percent) were operated upon for carcinoma. Operations included segmental colectomy (33 patients), low anterior resection (12 patients), total abdominal colectomy (3 patients) and abdominoperineal resection (2 patients). Forty patients were classified as ASA Class III; the majority were monitored in the surgical intensive care unit for a mean of 2.84 days. Thirty patients were monitored with arterial catheters and 21 with central invasive monitoring. Operative mortality was 7 percent (4 patients). Two patients died from diffuse carcinomatosis; one patient had a fatal myocardial infarction. The final death occurred from multisystem organ failure following anastomotic dehiscence. Twenty-seven operations were performed without postoperative complications; 18 operations were followed by a single minor complication. The average hospital stay was 18.96 days. All patients were admitted from home. Thirty-three returned home postoperatively; 16 were discharged to an extended care facility. In conclusion, elderly patients with colon and rectal disorders can be operated upon with acceptable morbidity and mortality. Age alone should not interdict surgical therapy.

Endorectal mucosal advancement flap: the preferred method for complex cryptoglandular fistula-in-ano☆

Cryptoglandular fistula-in-ano is a common affiction that usually responds well to conventional surgical procedures such as fistulectomy, fistulotomy, and seton placement. These procedures, however, can be associated with varying degrees of fecal incontinence. Endorectal mucosal advancement flap has been advocated as an alternative procedure that avoids this problem. This study was undertaken to determine the risks and benefits associated with endorectal mucosal advancement flap in the treatment of complex fistula-in-ano. One hundred sixty-four patients underwent 167 endorectal mucosal advancement flap procedures for complex cryptoglandular fistula-in-ano between January 1982 and December 1990. There were 126 men and 38 women whose mean age was 42.1 years (range 20 to 79 years). The majority of the patients (70%) had complex fistulas (transsphincteric, suprasphincteric, or extrasphincteric). Fifteen patients (9%) had an intersphincteric fistula. All patients were available for short-term follow-up (6 weeks). Postoperative morbidity was minimal and included urinary retention in 13 patients (7.8%) and bleeding in one patient. Healing time averaged 6 weeks. Long-term follow-up, ranging from 19 to 135 months, was carried out in 61 patients. There were two recurrences (3.28%). Nine patients (15%) complained of varying degrees of fecal incontinence. Six patients complained of incontinence to flatus and three patients complained of incontinence to liquid stool. No patient was incontinent of solid stool. Sixty patients (98%) rated their functional result as excellent or good. Endorectal mucosal advancement flap is a safe and effective technique for the treatment of complex cryptoglandular fistula-in-ano. It can be performed with minimal morbidity, no mortality, an acceptable recurrence rate, and little alteration in anorectal continence.

Surgical treatment of low rectovaginal fistulas

Forty women with low rectovaginal fistulas were operated upon over a 9-year period. The etiology of the fistula in the majority was obstetric. Nine women had prior attempts to repair the fistula. All 40 women were managed with endorectal advancement flap with the addition of sphincteroplasty or perineal body reconstruction in 15 patients and rectocele repair in six patients. Postoperative complications included urinary difficulties (two patients) and wound complications (three patients). There were two recurrences. All women treated with sphincteroplasty or perineal body reconstruction were continent. Seven women complained of varying degrees of incontinence postoperatively; none had undergone sphincter or perineal body reconstruction. Endorectal advancement flap is a safe and effective operation for women with rectovaginal fistulas. Concomitant sphincteroplasty or perineal body reconstruction should be performed in women with historical, physical, or manometric evidence of incontinence.

Delayed repair of obstetric injuries of the anorectum and vagina

PURPOSE: We categorized the various types of postobstetric injuries of the anorectum and vagina encountered in a five-year period. The operative procedures used to repair these injuries and the functional outcome after surgery were assessed. METHODS: Between 1986 and 1991, 52 patients were surgically treated for obstetric injuries of the anorectum and vagina; 48 patients were available for follow-up study. Four clinical injury types were identified: Type I, incontinent anal sphincter (11 patients); Type II, rectovaginal fistula (16 patients); Type III, rectovaginal fistula and incontinent anal sphincter (11 patients); and Type IV, cloaca-like defect (10 patients). The mean age of the patients was 30 years, the mean duration of symptoms before surgery was 13 months, and the mean follow-up period was 16 months. The major component of surgical repair for each injury type was: Type I, overlap repair of external anal sphincter; Type II, rectal mucosal advancement flap; Type III, overlap repair of external anal sphincter and rectal mucosal advancement flap; and Type IV, overlap repair of external anal sphincter, anterior levatorplasty, and anal and vaginal mucosal reconstruction. Fecal diversion was not performed in any patient. Specific questions were asked at the most recent follow-up assessment to determine results. RESULTS: Continence status postoperatively was classified as perfect, impaired, or poor; poor was defined as no improvement or worse. Postoperative continence (perfect, impaired, or poor) was, respectively: Type I (11 patients), 64 percent, 36 percent, and 0 percent; Type II (16 patients), 56 percent, 0 percent, and 44 percent; Type III (11 patients), 64 percent, 36 percent, and 0 percent; and Type IV (10 patients), 90 percent, 10 percent, and 0 percent. Vaginal discharge of stool was eliminated in all patients with a rectovaginal fistula. Subjectively, 92 percent of the patients had excellent or good results. Complications included wound hematoma (n=2), fecal impaction (n=2), urinary retention (n=1), and urinary tract infection (n=1). CONCLUSION: Patients with Type II injuries had the worst results (P< 0.001). These patients should be evaluated for anal incontinence before surgery to assess the need for a concomitant sphincteroplasty.

Vaginography: An easy and safe technique for diagnosis of colovaginal fistulas

Colovaginal fistulas are often difficult to demonstrate. Vaginography is a simple, safe, and effective technique.