Perianal suppuration: results of treatment

Perianal suppuration (PAS) is a common surgical problem that is frequently treated inadequately. A series of 101 patients with PAS was reviewed. Thirty-six patients had a history of PAS. Fifty patients had drainage of a perianal abscess; six patients developed fistulas in ano and in two recurrent abscess developed (total, 16%). Thirty-six patients had fistulotomy for established anal fistula: three patients (8%) had recurrent fistulas. Fifteen patients had single-stage drainage of abscess and fistulotomy, and none had recurrent or residual PAS. All patients ultimately achieved healing. These results illustrate the fact that satisfactory results in the treatment of PAS can be obtained by surgeons if established principles of treatment are observed.     

Remote results of treatment of hypospadias]

Based on the experience with surgical treatment of 11 patients showing radiation necrosis, it is concluded that the vascular wall is resistant to the effect of x-rays. The presence of ulcer of any size with pulsating vessels on its bottom should not be the reason for rejecting surgery.     

Late results of treatment of anal fistulas

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this paper was to analyse the results of treatment of anal fistulas retrospectively. METHODS: Between 1992 and 2004, 407 patients were operated on for perianal fistula. In the follow-up period, 107 patients were lost, so 300 patients were analysed in the study. The mean follow-up time was 4.2 years. Analysed parameters included: types of surgical procedures in different kinds of fistulas and postoperative complications. Various types of surgical procedures and their effectiveness were described. Late results were assessed taking into account healing time, duration of sick leave, recurrence rate and incidence of anal sphincter dysfunction. Severity of gas and stool incontinence was assessed according to the Cleveland Clinic Incontinence Score. RESULTS: In our study, subcutaneous fistula was diagnosed in 23.3%, inter-sphincteric in 18%, trans-sphincteric in 37.7%, supra-sphincteric in 16% and extra-sphincteric in 5% of patients. Single-tract fistulas were present in 88.7% and multi-tract fistulas were present in 11.3%. Overall, 242 patients had primary fistulas and 58 patients had recurrent fistulas. The most frequently performed procedures were cutting seton (139 patients) and radical fistulectomy (104 patients). Recurrent fistulas developed in 14.3%. Postoperative gas and/or stool incontinence was noticed in 10.7%. The recurrence rate was 5.4% in patients with primary fistula and in 51.7% patients presenting with a recurrent fistula. Gas and stool incontinence developed in 3.7% of patients with primary fistulas and in 39.7% of patients presenting with recurrent fistulas. Recurrence rate was 12% in the patients of single-tract fistulas and 32.4% in the patients of multi-tract fistulas. Postoperative gas and/or stool incontinence occurred in 8.3% of patients of single-tract fistulas and in 29.4% of patients of multi-tract fistulas. CONCLUSIONS: The complication rate was 10-fold higher in patients presenting with a recurrent fistula than in those with primary fistulas and threefold higher in patients with multi-tract fistulas than in those with single-tract fistulas.     

Advanced hypopharyngeal carcinoma treatment results according to treatment modalities

BACKGROUND: The purpose of this retrospective study is to compare the treatment results of locally advanced hypopharyngeal carcinoma according to treatment modalities. METHODS: Seventy-three patients with locally advanced hypopharyngeal carcinoma treated at the Department of Therapeutic Radiology, Seoul National University Hospital, between August 1979 and July 1997 were retrospectively analyzed. Twenty-three patients were treated with radiotherapy (RT) alone, 18 patients were treated with surgery and postoperative RT, and 32 patients were treated with neoadjuvant chemotherapy (CTx) and RT. Median follow-up period was 28 months. RESULTS: The overall 5-year survival rates were 15.7% for the RT alone group, 46.8% for surgery and postoperative RT group, and 43.0% for neoadjuvant CTx and RT group. The 5-year disease-free survival rates were 13.9%, 47.4%, and 30.7%, respectively. Surgery and postoperative RT or neoadjuvant CTx and RT showed superiority over RT alone in terms of both overall survival and disease-free survival rates. No significant differences were found in overall and disease-free survival rates between the surgery and postoperative RT group and neoadjuvant CTx and RT group (p =.15, p =.13). In the neoadjuvant CTx and RT group, 12 patients (38%) retained their larynx more than 5 years. CONCLUSION: Neoadjuvant CTx and RT is an effective strategy to achieve organ preservation without compromising the survival of patients with locally advanced hypopharyngeal carcinoma.     

Analysis of the results in pheochromoblastoma treatment

Results of operative treatment of 60 patients with pheochromoblastoma were analyzed. Surgical method of treatment is the most effective one. Lumbotomic extraperitoneal access is the method of choice. Oncological radicalism demands not only complete excision of primary tumor in sole capsule together with suprarenal gland, but also the revision of paranephral, paracaval and paraaortal cellule. Radical intervention with subsequent durable remission was performed in 38 (63.3%) of patients, also in 3 (5%) the remission was achieved after reintervention conduction. Two (3.3%) patients are living with persisting disease, which can be controlled easier using medicines, than before the operation. In 8 (13.3%) patients with the spread metastases revealed and they were directed to symptomatic therapy by their residence. The recurrence occurrence after primary operation performance is unfavorable prognostic feature: 55.8% of such patients were considered incurable. Operative treatment performed had guaranteed the disease remission achievement in 71.9% of patients.