Pneumatosis coli: an uncommon but treatable cause of faecal incontinence

Pneumatosis intestinalis is defined as the presence of gas within the bowel wall. Small bowel pneumatosis is less commonly reported and more severe than colonic disease in adults. Pneumatosis coli is characterised by multiple collections of encysted gas occurring within the sub-mucosa and subserosa of the colon and rectum. It is an uncommon condition which typically presents in late middle age and has been associated with a number of gastrointestinal (e.g. pyloric stenosis, sigmoid volvulus and ischaemic bowel) and non-gastrointestinal (e.g. chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, depression and multiple sclerosis) diseases. Some cases, however, are idiopathic or primary. Symptoms can include diarrhoea, constipation, mucus per rectum, bleeding, flatus, abdominal pain and, rarely, faecal incontinence. We report on two patients, one of whom presented with faecal incontinence, the other who had troublesome lower gastrointestinal symptoms including faecal incontinence. Both responded well to continuous oxygen therapy.     

Risk factors associated with pressure ulcer development in critically ill traumatic spinal cord injury patients

Critically ill spinal cord injury (SCI) patients are at high risk for pressure ulcers. Research is needed to identify risk factors for pressure ulcers. The aim of this study was to investigate risk factors and outcomes of pressure ulcers in critically ill SCI patients. This is a retrospective cohort study. Data were gathered from medical records of adult patients with SCI admitted to surgical intensive care units. Ninety-four SCI patients participated in this study. Clinical variables associated with pressure ulcers were as follows: fecal management systems, incontinence, acidosis, support surfaces, steroids, and additional equipment. Hypotension was the strongest predictor of pressure ulcers. Nursing interventions may address risk factors and improve patient outcomes.     

Carcinoid tumor mistaken for persistent neurogenic bowel symptoms in a patient with paraplegia: a case report.

Neurogenic bowel in spinal cord injury (SCI) can present with constipation and diarrhea as ongoing problems. Usually, these manifestations are adequately controlled with modification in the bowel program. When these symptoms persist, other causes should be considered. This case report describes a jejunal carcinoid tumor with colonic extension that was diagnosed in a paraplegic patient with persistent constipation and diarrhea. A 39-year-old man sustained a T1 paraplegia with neurogenic bowel and bladder dysfunction from a gunshot wound. His bowels were initially managed adequately with digital disimpaction. Over the next 8 years, he had intermittent constipation that was managed with the addition of various suppositories. He then developed progressively worsening constipation, and other gastrointestinal (GI) symptoms. Although his symptoms initially resolved with medical management, the constipation worsened. Upper endoscopy revealed a submucosal bulge in the duodenal bulb. A month later, gallstones were found on renal ultrasound performed to evaluate recurrent urinary tract infections. He underwent cholecystectomy, but his GI symptoms persisted over the next several months. Repeat upper endoscopy subsequently revealed an ulcerated tumor at the duodenojejunal flexure. An upper-GI scan with small bowel follow through showed a proximal jejunal mass. The patient underwent laparotomy with resection of the mass. Final pathologic diagnosis was malignant carcinoid tumor. This case shows the importance of entertaining other clinical entities in patients with SCI when constipation and diarrhea persist despite adequate management.     

Antegrade continence enema for the treatment of neurogenic constipation and fecal incontinence after spinal cord injury

OBJECTIVE: To describe the effects of an antegrade continence enema stoma formed in a paraplegic man with intractable constipation and fecal incontinence. DESIGN: Case report. SETTING: Spinal cord injury unit, Veterans Affairs hospital. PARTICIPANTS: Spinal cord injury (SCI) patient with T12 paraplegia. INTERVENTION: Surgical formation of antegrade continence enema stoma. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Time of bowel program care, ease of fecal elimination, safety of procedure. RESULTS: Bowel care time was decreased from 2 hours to 50 minutes daily; 6 bowel medications were discontinued; fecal incontinence was eliminated; and no surgical or medical side effects noted after the procedure. CONCLUSION: The antegrade continence enema procedure is a safe and effective means of treating intractable constipation and fecal incontinence in the adult SCI patient. This option should be considered for those persons in whom medical management of bowel care has been unsuccessful.     

Solitary rectal ulcer syndrome (colitis cystica profunda) in spinal cord injury patients: 3 case reports

Clinically indicated endoscopic examinations of 56 patients with spinal cord injury (SCI) (31 for bleeding) were performed over a 3-year period, of which 3 (6%) showed solitary rectal ulcer syndrome (SRUS). The presentation was rectal bleeding or mucoid discharge. The endoscopic appearance was multiple pseudopolyps and occasional mucosal ulcers extending proximally 8 to 40cm from the anus. Mucosal biopsy specimens showed distorted mucosal glands and displaced smooth muscle fibers wrapping around the glands, the hallmark of SRUS. The affected patients had routinely used suppositories and digital stimulation for bowel care and had been paralyzed 7 to 50 years. None had rectal prolapse. These cases show that SRUS (colitis cystica profunda) can be found among patients with SCI.     

A review of the outcome of stoma surgery on spinal cord injured patients

A study was conducted to determine the short-term and long-term outcome of stoma formation on spinal cord injured (SCI) patients. Twenty-seven medical records of SCI patients with colostomy, ileostomy or urostomy were reviewed. Eighteen SCI patients were then interviewed or completed a comprehensive questionnaire to determine the physical and psychological effects of the surgery and to assess changes in lifestyle due to the formation of the stoma. It was found that bowel and bladder management was greatly improved in most cases, resulting in improved quality of life for these patients. Other positive psychological effects were noted and the question of a colostomy being offered earlier in the rehabilitation of the SCI patient was raised.     

Serial incontinence assessment in elderly inpatient men

Urinary incontinence is a major problem for elderly chronic care patients. As a consequence, a high level of nursing care is required for patient management. Because incontinence rehabilitation programs are usually implemented during the day shift, the incidence of incontinence according to time of day has major implications regarding patient management. Although treatment is usually based on severity, assessment of incontinence severity in elderly chronic care inpatients is difficult. In this study, a telemetric incontinence detection system was developed to identify incontinence episodes. An absorbent pad exchange technique was used for incontinence volume measurement. The study group, 66 chronic care inpatient men over 65 years old, were subject to incontinence measurements over 10 days during all nursing shifts using the telemetric incontinence detection system. The results showed a significantly high incidence of incontinence episodes during the evening nursing shift. The volume of involuntary urine loss was significantly higher during the night nursing shift. Thus, the highest level of incontinence severity occurred during the time of day when nursing staff on chronic care units is usually the lowest.     

Continence care for patients with inflammatory bowel disease

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is a chronic illness that causes inflammation of the gastrointestinal tract. Symptoms commonly include frequency, urgency and faecal leaking or incontinence. This article discusses the causes of incontinence in IBD, medical and practical aspects of management and the role of the nurse in supporting patients living with often embarrassing symptoms.     

早期肠道干预预防有创机械通气肠内营养患者胃肠功能障碍的效果观察

目的探讨早期肠道干预预防有创机械通气肠内营养(enteral nutrition,EN)患者胃肠功能障碍的效果。方法将60例有创机械通气EN患者随机分为观察组和对照组,每组各30例。对照组患者采用常规护理方法,观察组患者采用早期肠道干预方法,包括腹部按摩、直肠刺激等。比较两组患者EN期间胃肠功能障碍发生情况。结果观察组患者胃肠功能障碍发生率明显低于对照组,两组比较,差异具有统计学意义(P0.05)。结论早期肠道干预能有效预防有创机械通气患者EN期间胃肠功能障碍发生。     

Pressure ulcer prevalence in intensive care patients: a cross-sectional study

Background  Pressure ulcers are a potential complication for intensive care patients and their prevention is a major issue in nursing care. Therefore, this study aims to assess pressure ulcer prevalence in intensive care patients, patients' characteristics and preventive measures related to pressure ulcer prevalence in intensive care patients and to determine the most common body sites of pressure ulcers.
Method  The research design was a cross-sectional study. The sample consisted of 1760 patients (298 in 2002, 408 in 2003, 453 in 2004, 368 in 2005 and 233 participants in 2006) from surgical, medical and interdisciplinary intensive care.
Results  The results revealed a mean prevalence rate of ±30% from 2002 to 2005 while it considerably decreased down to 16.2% in 2006. Half of the pressure ulcers were of grade 1. Furthermore, a significant relation was found between the presence of pressure ulcers and age ( P  ≤ 0.022), Braden score ( P  ≤ 0.01) and bowel incontinence ( P  ≤ 0.01).
Conclusion  It is crucial to select appropriate and applicable preventive material/devices and nursing care measures. Moreover, factors related to the presence of pressure ulcers should be taken into consideration in order to prevent development of further pressure ulcers.     

Nontraumatic spinal cord injury rehabilitation: pressure ulcer patterns, prediction, and impact

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the characteristics, predictors, and consequences of pressure ulcers in patients with nontraumatic spinal cord injury (SCI). DESIGN: Retrospective, 3-year, case series. SETTING: Tertiary medical unit specializing in SCI rehabilitation. PARTICIPANTS: Consecutive sample of 134 adult inpatient referrals with nontraumatic SCI. Patients requiring initial rehabilitation or readmission were included. INTERVENTION: Chart review. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Primary outcome measures were presence of pressure ulcers on admission to rehabilitation, incidence of new pressure ulcers developing during hospitalization, and any complications attributable to pressure ulcers during inpatient rehabilitation. Secondary objectives were to examine the predictability of risk factors for pressure ulcers, to assess the usefulness of a model previously developed for predicting pressure ulcers in patients with chronic SCI, and to estimate the effect of pressure ulcers on rehabilitation of nontraumatic SCI. RESULTS: Prevalence of pressure ulcers among admissions was 31.3% (n=42). Only 2.2% (n=3) of patients developed a new pressure ulcer after admission. The length of stay (LOS) of patients admitted with a pressure ulcer was significantly longer than that of those without a pressure ulcer (geometric mean, 62.3 d for pressure ulcer vs 28.2 d for no pressure ulcer, P=.0001). Many previously identified risk factors for pressure ulcers in SCI patients did not apply to our nontraumatic SCI patients. It is estimated that the inpatient LOS for those patients with a significant pressure ulcer was increased by 42 days. CONCLUSIONS: Pressure ulcers are a common complication for people with nontraumatic SCI who are admitted for rehabilitation, and they have a significant impact on LOS.     

脊髓损伤前后肠道功能的变化

目的：研究脊髓损伤前后肠道功能的变化。方法：采用面对问卷调查方式对70例脊髓损伤患者进行有关肠道功能的问卷调查。结果：脊髓损伤前后患者在肠道症状、排便频率及耗时、排便成功率、依赖程度、辅助手段等方面有高度显著性差异。结论：脊髓损伤后肠道功能改变有较高的发生率，应积极开展肠道管理。     

咀嚼口香糖对妇产科微创手术后病人胃肠功能的影响

[目的]探讨妇产科微创手术后咀嚼口香糖对促进病人胃肠功能恢复的临床价值。[方法]收集我院收治的行妇产科微创手术病人160例,随机分为两组,对照组采用常规护理并结合早期功能锻炼,实验组在对照组基础上术后予口香糖咀嚼,观察两组病人术后排气时间、首次排便时间以及术后腹胀和口腔溃疡的发生情况;检测术后第2天血中胃动素水平。[结果]实验组病人术后肛门排气时间明显缩短,与对照组比较,差异有统计学意义（P〈0.05）;术后排便时间实验组较对照组有所缩短,但差异无统计学意义;实验组病人出现腹胀及口腔溃疡等不适感的病例数明显少于对照组（P〈0.01）;胃动素水平实验组高于对照组,但差异无统计学意义。[结论]妇产科微创手术后咀嚼口香糖可促进胃肠功能恢复。     

A database of self-reported secondary medical problems among VA spinal cord injury patients: its role in clinical care and management

An interactive data management (IDM) system for the Spinal Cord Injury (SCI) Service was developed to collect self-reported patient data related to secondary medical complications and to provide feedback to the SCI rehabilitation team. The long-term objective is to improve clinical care through a process of staff review of current rehabilitation programs in the areas of prevalence, prevention, and management. Based on data from the first 99 SCI patients visiting the clinic and hospital after the installation of the IDM system, SCI patients reported high rates of current problems with spasticity (53 percent), pain (44 percent), and pressure ulcers (38 percent). Respiratory (12 percent) and bowel (14 percent) problems were less common current problems. The SCI staff questioned the reportedly high spasticity rates. They thought that the patients' answers might have indicated simply the occurrence of spasticity, rather than the more important issue of severe spasticity that interferes with daily activities. The staff suggested several additional spasticity questions to add to the study. In other areas, only a small percentage of patients wanted to talk with a therapist about prevention of pressure ulcers. Patients who had urinary problems consistently reported five urinary signs (e.g., cloudy urine). The clinical staff found these data informative and stated that they should continue to be collected.     

脊髓损伤患者直肠脱垂的手术治疗

目的评价吻合器经肛门直肠切除术(STARR)或Altemeir术治疗脊髓损伤患者直肠脱垂的疗效。方法对260例脊髓损伤患者进行肛肠疾病调查,21例非手术治疗无效的脊髓损伤直肠脱垂患者根据直肠脱出程度分别使用Altemeir或STARR术进行治疗。采用国际脊髓损伤肠功能基础及扩展数据集了解患者术前、术后12个月排便状况。结果脊髓损伤患者直肠脱垂发生率为32.7%(85/260)。接受手术治疗的21例患者均有不同程度便秘和混合痔,直肠黏膜脱垂(<7 cm)19例,直肠内套叠4例,直肠完全脱垂(7 cm)2例;Ⅰ度13例,Ⅱ度5例,Ⅲ度3例。Ⅰ、Ⅱ度直肠脱垂均使用STARR术治疗,Ⅲ度使用Altemeir手术治疗。术后无严重并发症。术后12个月,患者肠道功能障碍影响生活质量的自我报告明显改善(P<0.01),需偶尔用手掏排便的患者数明显减少(P<0.01);需要外用衬垫或塞子、使用止泻剂的患者显著减少(P<0.001);排便不尽感、腹胀、腹痛/腹部不适缓解(P<0.05)。结论STARR或Altemeir手术是治疗脊髓损伤患者直肠脱垂安全有效的方法。     

Anorectal manometry.

Anorectal manometry is used in the treatment of complex anorectal disorders, such as fecal incontinence and intractable constipation. In a 3-year period at one institution 308 anorectal manometries were performed. A total of 168 procedures were performed for complaints of fecal incontinence, 77 for constipation, and the remainder for a variety of anorectal disorders. Anorectal manometry in those under 20 years of age was performed most often to differentiate Hirschsprung disease from functional constipation, as well as to provide a differential diagnosis related to congenital anorectal anomalies. In patients between the ages of 21 and 40 years, evaluation of fecal incontinence (especially obstetrical injuries) was most significant. Fecal incontinence accounted for twice the number of anorectal manometries for those between the ages of 41 and 60. For those over 60 years of age, the majority of anorectal manometries were done for fecal incontinence rather than for constipation (nearly a 4:1 ratio). Anorectal manometry is a valuable physiologic adjunct in the evaluation, diagnosis, and treatment of organic and functional disorders of the anorectum.     

Exploring the conditions leading to stoma-forming surgery

The most common disease leading to the formation of a stoma is cancer. However, there are many other diseases that affect the gastrointestinal or urinary system that may also require either a temporary or permanent stoma to be formed (a colostomy, ileostomy or urostomy). Stoma-forming surgery may be undertaken for a number of reasons, such as to eradicate a disease or improve the patient's quality of life. Cancer, inflammatory bowel disease and diverticular disease are the most common conditions that lead to stoma formation. However, faecal incontinence, familial adenomatous polyposis, Hirschsprung's disease, spina bifida and Ehlers-Danlos syndrome may also require a stoma to be formed. The nurse's role in caring for these patients at a potentially traumatic period of their life is discussed.     

Medical complications during acute rehabilitation following spinal cord injury--current experience of the Model Systems

OBJECTIVES: To examine the frequency of common secondary medical complications during acute rehabilitation in persons with new spinal cord injury (SCI). DESIGN: Survey and analysis of data in the National SCI Statistical Center (NSCISC) database. SETTING: Eighteen Model System SCI Centers located in urban, public medical centers around the United States. SUBJECTS: A total of 1,649 persons with new SCI entered into the NSCISC database between 1996 and mid-1998. RESULTS: Since 1992, the number of days from injury to admission to rehabilitation has steadily decreased, resulting in the increased potential to develop common secondary medical complications during rehabilitation hospitalization. Pressure ulcers occur with high frequency and were found to have developed in 23.7% of patients during rehabilitation. In addition, autonomic dysreflexia and atelectasis/pneumonia also occur with relative frequency during rehabilitation. Conversely, deep vein thrombosis and pulmonary embolism have decreased, most likely because of greater awareness of their potential to develop, as well as improved methods of prophylaxis. Cardiopulmonary arrest and gastrointestinal hemorrhage occur with relatively small frequency. The frequency of renal complications is difficult to gauge because of the decreasing number of patients who have any renal testing performed during rehabilitation hospitalization. CONCLUSION: The continued declining lengths of acute care hospitalization after SCI have resulted in the occurrence in the rehabilitation setting of medical complications that were previously seen in acute care. Greater awareness and attention to these conditions are necessary to reduce their occurrence, so that obstacles to recovery and functional improvement after SCI are minimized.     

Congenital aganglionic megacolon in Nigerian adults: two case reports and review of the literature

Congenital aganglionic mega colon (Hirschsprung's disease) is a motor disorder in the gut, due to a defect in the craniocaudal migration of the neuroblast originating from the neural crest that occurs during the first twelve weeks of gestation, causing a functional intestinal obstruction, with its attendant complications, in infants. Despite modern pediatric practice, with emphasis on early diagnosis, Hirschsprung's disease is seen in adults in regions where perinatal care is limited. We report two cases of Nigerian adults with longstanding, recurrent constipation, getting relieved by laxatives and herbal enemata, and then presented to our Emergency Department with a history of progressive abdominal distention, colicky pain, occasional vomiting, and weight loss. Per rectal examination revealed a gripping sensation in the rectum, 10 cm from the anal verge, with rectal fecal load. Barium enema showed a grossly distended proximal large colon, with high fecal retention, with the transition zone at the middle one-third of the rectum. Due to difficulty in bowel preparation of these patients, emergency laparotomy was done. The first case had a diverting sigmoid colostomy and later had a low anterior resection. The second case had a one-stage procedure. Histology of both the cases showed aganglionosis of the stenotic segment and a normal distal rectum. Both patients had complete resolution of the symptoms, without complications, in a three-year follow-up. The related literatures were reviewed. Hirschsprung's disease should be considered in adults patient presenting with chronic constipation. Low anterior resection of the rectum would be a surgical option for the treatment of short and zonal segment of adult Hirschsprung's disease.     

The "Boston model" of managed care and spinal cord injury: a cross-sectional study of the outcomes of risk-based, prepaid, managed care

OBJECTIVE: To present preliminary data on the health-related consequences for people with spinal cord injury (SCI) of participation in a prepaid, risk-based, managed care plan. DESIGN: Baseline data from a longitudinal interview survey. SETTING: Massachusetts. PARTICIPANTS: Subjects were 114 independently living adults with SCI recruited from 6 independent living centers and 2 managed care plans; 45 received care from a risk-based prepaid managed care plan and 69 from other sources. MAIN OUTCOMES: Self-reports of use of health services; self-assessments of health, health at interview versus 12 months earlier; hospital admissions; numbers of secondary conditions, and experiences of specific secondary conditions (eg, pressure ulcers, depression, fatigue, and chronic pain). RESULTS: Persons in the managed care plan do not differ from their counterparts in terms of age, gender, education, level of SCI, number of comorbid conditions, activity of daily living profiles, household composition, and reliance upon health maintenance programs and routines (eg, bowel and bladder care). In terms of processes of care, they appear generally better-served. There also are a few differences in outcome that are statistically significant, or approach significance, and generally favor the managed care plan. CONCLUSION: Preliminary data suggest that thoughtfully and sensitively designed and implemented risk-based managed care may improve both access and outcomes.