Treatment of peri-anal fistula in Crohn’s disease

Anal fistulas are a common manifestation of Crohn’s disease(CD). The first manifestation of the disease is often in the peri-anal region, which can occur years before a diagnosis, particularly in CD affecting the colon and rectum. The treatment of peri-anal fistulas is difficult and always multidisciplinary. The European guidelines recommend combined surgical and medical treatment with biologic drugs to achieve best results. Several different surgical techniques are currently em-ployed. However, at the moment, none of these tech-niques appear superior to the others in terms of healing rate. Surgery is always indicated to treat symptomatic, simple, low intersphincteric fistulas refractory to medi-cal therapy and those causing disabling symptoms. Ut-most attention should be paid to correcting the balance between eradication of the fistula and the preservationof fecal continence.     

Salvage irrigation-suction in gracilis muscle repair of complex rectovaginal and rectourethral fistulas

AIM:To evaluate the efficacy of gracilis muscle transposition and postoperative salvage irrigation-suction in the treatment of complex rectovaginal fistulas(RVFs)and rectourethral fistulas(RUFs).METHODS:Between May 2009 and March 2012,11female patients with complex RVFs and 8 male patients with RUFs were prospectively enrolled.Gracilis muscle transposition was undertaken in all patients and postoperative wound irrigation-suction was performed in patients with early leakage.Efficacy was assessed in terms of the success rate and surgical complications.SF-36 quality of life(QOL)scores and Wexner fecal incontinence scores were compared before and after surgery.RESULTS:The fistulas healed in 14 patients after gracilis muscle transposition;the initial healing rate was73.7%.Postoperative leakage occurred and continuous irrigation-suction of wounds was undertaken in 5patients:4 healed and 1 failed,and postoperative fecal diversions were performed for the patient whose treatment failed.At a median follow-up of 17 mo,the overall healing rate was 94.7%.Postoperative complications occurred in 4 cases.Significant improvement was observed in the quality outcomes framework scores(P<0.001)and Wexner fecal incontinence scores(P=0.002)after the successful healing of complex RVFs or RUFs.There was no significant difference in SF-36 QOL scores between the initial healing group and irrigationsuction-assisted healing group.CONCLUSION:Gracilis muscle transposition and postoperative salvage wound irrigation-suction gained a high success rate in the treatment of complex RVFs and RUFs.QOL and fecal incontinence were significantly improved after the successful healing of RVFs and RUFs.     

Modern management of anal fistula

Ideal surgical treatment for anal fistula should aim to eradicate sepsis and promote healing of the tract,whilst preserving the sphincters and the mechanism of continence.For the simple and most distal fistulae,conventional surgical options such as laying open of the fistula tract seem to be relatively safe and therefore,well accepted in clinical practise.However,for the more complex fistulae where a significant proportion of the anal sphincter is involved,great concern remains about damaging the sphincter and subsequent poor functional outcome,which is quite inevitable following conventional surgical treatment.For this reason,over the last twodecades,many sphincter-preserving procedures for the treatment of anal fistula have been introduced with the common goal of minimising the injury to the anal sphincters and preserving optimal function.Among them,the ligation of intersphincteric fistula tract procedure appears to be safe and effective and may be routinely considered for complex anal fistula.Another technique,the anal fistula plug,derived from porcine small intestinal submucosa,is safe but modestly effective in long-term follow-up,with success rates varying from 24%-88%.The failure rate may be due to its extrusion from the fistula tract.To obviate that,a new designed plug(GORE BioA ) was introduced,but long term data regarding its efficacy are scant.Fibrin glue showed poor and variable healing rate(14%-74%).Fi La C and video-assisted anal fistula treatment procedures,respectively using laser and electrode energy,are expensive and yet to be thoroughly assessed in clinical practise.Recently,a therapy using autologous adiposederived stem cells has been described.Their properties of regenerating tissues and suppressing inflammatory response must be better investigated on anal fistulae,and studies remain in progress.The aim of this present article is to review the pertinent literature,describing the advantages and limitations of new sphincterpreserving techniques.     

Traditional Chinese surgical treatment for anal fistulae with secondary tracks and abscess

AIM:To evaluate the efficacy and safety of traditional Chinese surgical treatment for anal fistulae with secondary tracks and abscess.METHODS:Sixty patients with intersphincteric or transsphincteric anal fistulas with secondary tracks and abscess were randomly divided into study group [suture dragging combined with pad compression(SDPC)] and control group [fistulotomy(FSLT)].In the SDPC group,the internal opening was excised and incisions at external openings were made for drainage.Silk sutures were put through every two incisions and knotted in loose state.The suture dragging process started from the first day after surgery and the pad compression process started when all sutures were removed as wound tissue became fresh and without discharge.In the FSLT group,the internal opening and all tracts were laid open and cleaned by normal saline postoperatively till all wounds healed.The time of healing,postoperative pain score(visual analogue scale),recurrence rate,patient satisfaction,incontinence evaluation and anorectal manometry before and after the treatment were examined.RESULTS:There were no significant differences between the two groups regarding age,gender and fistulae type.The time of healing was significantly shorter(24.33 d in SDPC vs 31.57 d in FSLT,P 0.01) and the patient satisfaction score at 1 mo postoperative followup was significantly higher in the SDPC group(4.07 in SDPC vs 3.37 in FSLT,P 0.05).The mean maximal postoperative pain scores were 5.83 ± 2.5 in SDPC vs 6.37 ± 2.33 in FSLT and the recurrence rates were 3.33 in SDPC vs 0 in FSLT.None of the patients in the two groups experienced liquid and solid fecal incontinence and lifestyle alteration postoperatively.The Wexner score after treatment of intersphincter fistulae were 0.17 ± 0.41 in SDPC vs 0.40 ± 0.89 in FSLT and transsphincter fistulae were 0.13 ± 0.45 in SDPC vs 0.56 ± 1.35 in FSLT.The maximal squeeze pressure and resting pressure declined after treatment in both groups.The maximal anal squeeze pressures after treatment were reduced(23.17 ± 3.73 Kpa in SDPC vs 22.74 ± 4.47 Kpa in FSLT) and so did the resting pressures(12.36 ± 2.15 Kpa in SDPC vs 11.71 ± 1.87 Kpa in FSLT),but there were neither significant differences between the two groups and nor significant differences before or after treatment.CONCLUSION:Traditional Chinese surgical treatment SDPC for anal fistulae with secondary tracks and abscess is safe,effective and less invasive.     

Feasibility of single-incision laparoscopic cholecystectomy for acute cholecystitis

AIM: To assess the safety of single-incision laparoscopic cholecystectomy(SILC) for acute cholecystitis.METHODS: All patients who underwent SILC at Sano Hospital(Kobe, Japan) between January 2010 and December 2014 were included in this retrospective study. Clinical data related to patient characteristics and surgical outcomes were collected from medical records. The parameters for assessing the safety of the procedure included operative time, volume of blood loss, achievement of the critical view of safety, use of additional trocars, conversion to laparotomy, intraoperative and postoperative complications, and duration of postoperative hospital stay. Patient backgrounds were statistically compared between those with and without conversion to laparotomy.RESULTS: A total of 100 patients underwent SILC for acute cholecystitis during the period. Preoperative endoscopic treatment was performed for suspected choledocholithiasis in 41 patients(41%). The mean time from onset of acute cholecystitis was 7.7 d. According to the Updated Tokyo Guidelines(TG13) for the severity of cholecystitis, 86 and 14 patients had grade Ⅰ and grade Ⅱ acute cholecystitis, respectively. The mean operative time was 87.4 min. The mean estimated blood loss was 80.6 mL. The critical view of safety was obtained in 89 patients(89%). Conversion laparotomy was performed in 12 patients(12%). Postoperative complications of Clavien-Dindo grade Ⅲ or greater were observed in 4 patients(4%). The mean duration of postoperative hospital stay was 5.7 d. Patients converted from SILC to laparotomy tended to have higher days after onset.CONCLUSION: SILC is feasible for acute cholecystitis; in addition, early surgical intervention may reduce the risk of laparotomy conversion.     

A anorectal fistula treatment with acellular extracellular matrix： A new technique

AIM： To investigate a new technique of the anorectal fistula treatment with acellular extracellular matrix （AEM）. METHODS： Thirty patients with anorectal fistula were treated with AEM. All fistula tracts and primary openings were identified using conventional fistula probe. All tracts were curet-ted with curet and irrigated with hydrogen peroxide and metronidazole. The AEM was pulled into the fistula tract from secondary to primary opening. The material was secured at the level of the primary opening. The excess AEM was trimmed at skin level at the secondary opening. RESULTS： All of the 30 patients had successful closure of their fistula after a 7-14 d follow-up. The healing rate of anal fistula in treatment group was 100%. The ache time, healing time and anal deformation of treatment group were obviously superior to traditional surgical methods. CONCLUSION： Using AEM anal fistula plug in treatment that causes the anorectal fistula is safe and successful in 100% of patients. It can reduce pain, shorten disease course and protect anal function.     

Laparoscopic management of totally intra-thoracic stomach with chronic volvulus

AIM:To evaluate the outcomes of patients who underwent laparoscopic repair of intra-thoracic gastric volvulus(IGV)and to assess the preoperative work-up.METHODS:A retrospective review of a prospectively collected database of patient medical records identified14 patients who underwent a laparoscopic repair of IGV.The procedure included reduction of the stomach into the abdomen,total sac excision,reinforced hiatoplasty with mesh and construction of a partial fundoplication.All perioperative data,operative details and complications were recorded.All patients had at least 6 mo of follow-up.RESULTS:There were 4 male and 10 female patients.The mean age and the mean body mass index were 66years and 28.7 kg/m2,respectively.All patients presented with epigastric discomfort and early satiety.There was no mortality,and none of the cases were converted to an open procedure.The mean operative time was235 min,and the mean length of hospitalization was 2 d.There were no intraoperative complications.Four minor complications occurred in 3 patients including pleuraleffusion,subcutaneous emphysema,dysphagia and delayed gastric emptying.All minor complications resolved spontaneously without any intervention.During the mean follow-up of 29 mo,one patient had a radiological wrap herniation without volvulus.She remains symptom free with daily medication.CONCLUSION:The laparoscopic management of IGV is a safe but technically demanding procedure.The best outcomes can be achieved in centers with extensive experience in minimally invasive esophageal surgery.     

Burden and outcomes for complex perianal fistulas in Crohn's disease:Systematic review

AIM To systematically review the literature on epidemiology,disease burden, and treatment outcomes for Crohn's disease(CD) patients with complex perianal fistulas.METHODS PubMed, Embase, and Cochrane were searched for relevant articles(published 2000-November 2016) and congress abstracts(published 2011-November 2016).RESULTS Of 535 records reviewed, 62 relevant sources were identified(mostly small observational studies). The cumulative incidence of complex perianal fistulas in CD from two referral-centre studies was 12%-14%(follow-up time, 12 years in one study; not reported in the second study). Complex perianal fistulas result in greatly diminished quality of life; up to 59% of patients are at risk of faecal incontinence. Treatments include combinations of medical and surgical interventions and expanded allogeneic adipose-derived stem cells. High proportions of patients experience lack of or inadequate response to treatment(failure and relapse rates,respectively: medical, 12%-73% and 0%-41%; surgical:0%-100% and 11%.20%; combined medical/surgical:0%-80% and 0%-50%; stem cells: 29%-47% and not reported). Few studies(1 of infliximab; 3 of surgical interventions)have been conducted in treatment-refractory patients, a population with high unmet needs. Limited data exist on the clinical value of anti-tumour necrosis factor-α dose escalation in patients with complex perianal fistulas in CD.CONCLUSION Complex perianal fistulas in CD pose substantial clinical and humanistic burden. There is a need for effective treatments, especially for patients refractory to antitumour necrosis factor-α agents, as evidenced by high failure and relapse rates.     

Double-balloon enteroscopy for mesenchymal tumors of small bowel:Nine years’ experience

AIM:To assess the value of double-balloon enteroscopy(DBE) for the diagnosis of gastrointestinal mesenchymal tumors(GIMTs) in the small bowel and clarify their clinical and endoscopic characteristics.METHODS:A retrospective review in a total of 783 patients who underwent a DBE procedure from January 2003 to December 2011 was conducted.Data from patients with pathologically confirmed GIMTs were analyzed at a single tertiary center with nine years’ experience.The primary outcomes assessed included characteristics of patients with GIMTs,indications for DBE,overall diagnostic yield of GIMTs,endoscopic morphology,positive biopsy,comparison of diagnosis with capsule endoscopy,and subsequent interventional management.RESULTS:GIMTs were identified and analyzed in 77 patients.The mean age was 47.74 ± 14.14 years(range:20-77 years),with 63.6% being males.The majority of individuals presented with gastrointestinal bleeding,accounting for 81.8%,followed by abdominal pain,accounting for 10.4%.Small bowel pathologies were found in 71 patients,the detection rate was 92.2%.The diagnostic yield of DBE for GIMTs was 88.3%.DBE was superior to capsule endoscopy in the diagnosis of GIMTs(P = 0.006;McNemar’s χ2 test).Gastrointestinal stromal tumor was the most frequent and leiomyoma was the second frequent GIMT.Single and focal lesions were typical of GIMTs,and masses with smooth or unsmooth surface were the most common in the small bowel.GIMTs were removed from all the patients surgically except one patient treated with endoscopic resection.CONCLUSION:DBE is a safe and valuable procedure for patients with suspected GIMTs,and it provides an accurate position for subsequent surgical intervention.     

Radio frequency “sutureless” fistulotomy-a new way of treating fistula in anus

AIM: To explore the effect of the classical lay open technique or fistulotomy with the radio frequency surgical device in the treatment of fistula in anus.METHODS: In our study, the conventional ‘lay open‘technique, or ‘fistulotomy‘ was performed by employing the radio frequency surgical device as an alternative to the traditional knife and scissors. In a span of 18 months starting from July 1999 to December 2000, 210 cases with fistula in anus of varied types were operated in our nursing home exclusively applying the radio frequency device.RESULTS: The results of the study were not only encouraging but also were satisfactory. A follow up of the operated patients with radio frequency surgery over a period of 15 months, i.e. from December 2000 to March 2002 was summarized as below: (a) average time taken by the patient to resume routine - 7 days; (b) none of the patient had any interference with the continence; (c) the wounds were found healed within an average time of 47 days; (d) delayed wound healing was noticed only in 7 patients; (e) recurrence/failure rate was reduced to as low as 1.5 percent.CONCLUSION: This technique has been found superior to the conventional fistulotomy in the sense that the time taken for the whole procedure is reduced to almost half, chances of bleeding are reduced to a minimum and the use of suture material is dispensed with. The procedure can safely be called a “Sutureless fistulotomy”.     

PERFACT procedure:A new concept to treat highly complex anal fistula

AIM: To check the efficacy of the PERFACT procedure in highly complex fistula-in-ano.METHODS: The PERFACT procedure(proximal superficial cauterization, emptying regularly fistula tracts and curettage of tracts) entails two steps: superficial cauterization of mucosa at and around the internal opening and keeping all the tracts clean. The principle is to permanently close the internal opening by granulation tissue. This is achieved by superficial electrocauterization at and around the internal opening and subsequently allowing the wound to heal by secondary intention. Along with this, all the tracts are curetted and it is ensured that they remain empty and clean in the postoperative period until they heal completely. The latter step also facilitates the closure of the internal opening by preventing collected fluid in the tracts from entering the internal opening and thus not letting it close. Objective incontinence scoring was done preoperatively and 3 mo after the operation.RESULTS: Fifty-one patients with complex fistula-inano were prospectively enrolled. The median followup was 9 mo(5-14 mo). The mean age was 42.7 ± 11.3 years. Male:female ratio was 43:8. Fistula was recurrent in 76.5%(39/51), horseshoe in 50.1%(26/51), had multiple tracts in 52.9%(27/51), had an associated abscess in 41.2%(21/51), was anterior in 33.3%(17/51), the internal opening was not found in 15.7%(8/51) and 9.8%(5/51) of fistulas had a supralevator extension. Seven patients were excluded(5 lost to follow up, 2 with tuberculosis leading to/associated with fistula-in-ano). The success rate was 79.5%(35/44) and the recurrence rate was 20.5%(9/44). Out of these recurrences, three underwent reoperation(2 PERFACT procedure, 1 fistulotomy) and all three were successful. Thus, the overall success rate was 86.4%. The only complication was a non-healing tract in 9.1%(4/44) of patients. There was no significant change in objective incontinence scores three months after the operation. The pain was minimal, with all patients resuming their normal activities within 72 h of the operation.CONCLUSION: The PERFACT procedure is a new effective method for complex fistula-in-ano, effective even in fistula associated with abscess, supralevator fistula-in-ano and where the internal opening is nonlocalizable.     

Emerging treatments for complex perianal fistula in Crohn＇s disease

Complex perianal fistulas have a negative impact on the quality of life of sufferers and should be treated. Correct diagnosis, characterization and classification of the fistulas are essential to optimize treatment. Nevertheless, in the case of patients whose fistulas are associated with Crohn＇s disease, complete closure is particularly difficult to achieve. Systemic medical treatments （antibiotics, thiopurines and other immunomodulatory agents, and, more recently, anti-tumor necrosis factor-α agents such as infliximab） have been tried with varying degrees of success. Combined medical （including infliximab） and less aggressive surgical therapy （drainage and seton placement） offer the best outcomes in complex Crohn＇s fistulas while more aggressive surgical procedures such as fistulotomy or fistulectomy may increase the risk of incontinence. This review will focus on emerging novel treatments for perianal disease in Crohn＇s patients. These include locally applied infliximab or tacrolimus, fistula plugs, instillation of fibrin glue and the use of adult expanded adipose-derived stem cell injection. More welldesigned controlled studies are required to confirm the effectiveness of these emerging treatments.     

A new pancreaticojejunostomy technique: A battle against postoperative pancreatic fistula

AIM:To present a new technique of end-to-side, ductto-mucosa pancreaticojejunostomy with seromuscular jejunal flap formation, and insertion of a silicone stent. METHODS:We present an end-to-side, duct-to-mucosa pancreaticojejunostomy with seromuscular jejunal flap formation, and the insertion of a silicone stent. This technique was performed in thirty-two consecutive patients who underwent a pancreaticoduodenectomy procedure by the same surgical team, from January 2005 to March 2011. The surgical procedure performed in all cases was classic pancreaticoduodenectomy, without preservation of the pylorus. The diagnosis of pancreatic leakage was defined as a drain output of any measurable volume of fluid on or after postoperative day 3 with an amylase concentration greater than three times the serum amylase activity. RESULTS:There were 32 patients who underwent end-to-side, duct-to-mucosa pancreaticojejunostomy with seromuscular jejunal flap formation. Thirteen of them were women and 19 were men. These data correspond to 40.6% and 59.4%, respectively. The mean age was 64.2 years, ranging from 55 to 82 years. The mean operative time was 310.2 ± 40.0 min, and was defined as the time period from the intubation up to the extubation of the patient. Also, the mean time needed to perform the pancreaticojejunostomy was 22.7 min, ranging from 18 to 25 min. Postoperatively, one patient developed a low output pancreatic fistula, three patients developed surgical site infection, and one patient developed pneumonia. The rate of overall morbidity was 15.6%. There was no 30-d postoperative mortality. CONCLUSION:This modification appears to be a significantly safe approach to the pancreaticojejunostomy without adversely affecting operative time.     

Acquired aortocameral fistula occurring late after infective endocarditis: An emblematic case and review of 38 reported cases

AIM To delineate the features and current therapeutic option of congenital and acquired aortocameral fistulas(ACF) secondary to iatrogenic or infectious disorders.METHODS From a Pub Med search using the term "aortocameral fistula", 30 suitable papers for the current review were retrieved. Reviews, case series and case reports published in English were considered. Abstracts and reports from scientific meetings were not included. A total of 38 reviewed subjects were collected and analyzed. In addition, another case- an adult male who presented with ACF between commissures of the right and noncoronary sinuses and right atrium as a late complication of Staphylococcus aureus infective endocarditis of the AV- is added, the world literature is briefly reviewed.RESULTS A total of thirty-eight subjects producing 39 fistulas were reviewed, analyzed and stratified into either congenital(47%) or acquired(53%) according to their etiology. Of all subjects, 11% were asymptomatic and 89% were symptomatic with dyspnea(21 ×) as the most common presentation. Diagnosis was established by a multidiagnostic approach in 23(60%), single method in 14(37%)(echocardiography in 12 and catheterization in 2), and at autopsy in 2(3%) of the subjects. Treatment options included percutaneous transcatheter closure in 12(30%) with the deployment of the Amplatzer duct or septal occluder and Gianturco coil and surgical correction in 24(63%). CONCLUSION Acquired ACF is an infrequent entity which may occur late after an episode of endocarditis of the native AV. The management of ACF is generally by surgical correction but non-surgical device intervention has recently been introduced as a safe alternative.     

Current characteristics of congenital coronary artery fistulas in adults: A decade of global experience

AIM:To describe the characteristics of coronary artery fistulas(CAFs) in adults,including donor vessels and whether termination was cameral or vascular. METHODS:A PubMed search was performed for articles between 2000 and 2010 to describe the current characteristics of congenital CAFs in adults.A group of 304 adults was collected.Clinical data,presentations,diagnostic modalities,angiographic fistula findings and treatment strategies were gathered and analyzed.With regard to CAF origin,the subjects were tabulated into unilateral,bilateral or multilateral fistulas and compared.The group was stratified into two major subsets according to the mode of termination;coronary-cameral fistulas(CCFs) and coronary-vascular fistulas(CVFs) . A comparison was made between the two subsets. Fistula-related major complications[aneurysm formation,infective endocarditis(IE) ,myocardial infarction(MI) ,rupture,pericardial effusion(PE) and tamponade] were described.Coronary artery-ventricular multiple micro-fistulas and acquired CAFs were excluded as well as anomalous origin of the coronary arteries from the pulmonary artery(PA) . RESULTS:A total of 304 adult subjects(47%male) with congenital CAFs were included.The mean age was51.4 years(range,18-86 years) ,with 20%older than 65 years of age.Dyspnea(31%) ,chest pain(23%) and angina pectoris(21%) were the prevalent clinical presentations.Continuous cardiac murmur was heard in 82%of the subjects.Of the applied diagnostic modalities,chest X-ray showed an abnormal shadow in 4%of the subjects.The cornerstone in establishing the diagnosis was echocardiography(68%) ,and conventional contrast coronary angiography(97%) .However,multislice detector computed tomography was performed in 16%.The unilateral fistula originated from the left in 69%and from the right coronary artery in 31%of the subjects.Most patients(80%) had unilateral fistulas,18%presented with bilateral fistulas and 2%with multilateral fistulas.Termination into the PA was reported in unilateral(44%) ,bilateral(73%) and multilateral(75%) fistulas.Fistulas with multiple origins(bilateral and multilateral) terminated more frequently into the PA(29%) than into other sites(10.6%)(P=0.000) . Aneurysmal formation was found in 14%of all subjects.Spontaneous rupture,PE and tamponade were reported in 2%of all subjects.In CCFs,the mean age was 46.2 years whereas in CVFs mean age was 55.6 years(P=0.003) .IE(4%) was exclusively associated with CCFs,while MI(2%) was only found in subjects with CVFs.Surgical ligation was frequently chosen for unilateral(57%) ,bilateral(51%) and multilateral fistulas(66%) ,but percutaneous therapeutic embolization(PTE) was increasingly reported(23%,17%and 17%,respectively) . CONCLUSION:Congenital CAFs are currently detected in elderly patients.Bilateral fistulas are more frequently reported and PTE is more frequently applied as a therapeutic strategy in adults.     

Recurrent anal fistulae:Limited surgery supported by stem cells

AIM:To study the results of stem-cell therapy under a Compassionate-use Program for patients with recurrent anal fistulae.METHODS:Under controlled circumstances,and approved by European and Spanish laws,a Compassionate-use Program allows the use of stem-cell therapy for patients with very complex anal fistulae.Candidates had previously undergone multiple surgical interventions that had failed to resolve the fistulae,and presented symptomatic recurrence.The intervention consisted of limited surgery(with closure of the internal opening),followed by local implant of stem cells in the fistula-tract wall.Autologous expanded adipose-derived stem cells were the main cell type selected for implant.The first evaluation was performed on the 8th postoperative week;outcome was classified as response or partial response.Evaluation one year after the intervention confirmed if complete healing of the fistula was achieved.RESULTS:Ten patients(8 male)with highly recurrent and complex fistulae were treated(mean age:49years,range:28-76 years).Seven cases were nonCrohn’s fistulae,and three were Crohn’s-associated fistulae.Previous surgical attempts ranged from 3to 12.Two patients presented with preoperative incontinence(Wexner scores of 12 and 13 points).After the intervention,six patients showed clinical response on the 8th postoperative week,with a complete cessation of suppuration from the fistula.Three patients presented a partial response,with an evident decrease in suppuration.A year later,six patients(60%)remained healed,with complete reepithelization of the external opening.Postoperative Wexner Scores were 0 in six cases.The two patients with previous incontinence improved their scores from12 to 8 points and from 13 to 5 points.No adverse reactions or complications related to stem-cell therapy were reported during the study period.CONCLUSION:Stem cells are safe and useful for treating anal fistulae.Healing can be achieved in severe cases,sparing fecal incontinence risk,and improving previous scoring.     

Midterm outcome of stapled transanal rectal resection for obstructed defecation syndrome: A single-institution experience in China

AIM:To assess midterm results of stapled transanal rectal resection(STARR)for obstructed defecation syndrome(ODS)and predictive factors for outcome.METHODS:From May 2007 to May 2009,75 female patients underwent STARR and were included in the present study.Preoperative and postoperative workup consisted of standardized interview and physical examination including proctoscopy,colonoscopy,anorectal manometry,and defecography.Clinical and functional results were assessed by standardized questionnaires for the assessment of constipation constipation scoring system(CSS),Longo’s ODS score,and symptom severity score(SSS),incontinence Wexner incontinence score(WS),quality of life Patient Assessment of Constipation-Quality of Life Questionnaire(PAC-QOL),and patient satisfaction visual analog scale(VAS).Data were collected prospectively at baseline,12 and 30 mo.RESULTS:The median follow-up was 30 mo(range,30-46 mo).Late postoperative complications occurred in 11(14.7%)patients.Three of these patients required procedure-related reintervention(one diverticulectomy and two excision of staple granuloma).Although the recurrence rate was 10.7%,constipation scores(CSS,ODS score and SSS)significantly improved after STARR(P<0.0001).Significant reduction in ODS symptoms was matched by an improvement in the PAC-QOL and VAS(P<0.0001),and the satisfaction index was excellent in 25(33.3%)patients,good in 23(30.7%),fairly good in 14(18.7%),and poor in 13(17.3%).Nevertheless,the WS increased after STARR(P=0.0169).Incontinence was present or deteriorated in 8(10.7%)patients;6(8%)of whom were new onsets.Univariate analysis revealed that the occurrence of fecal incontinence(preoperative,postoperative or new-onset incontinence;P=0.028,0.000,and 0.007,respectively)was associated with the success of the operation.CONCLUSION:STARR is an acceptable procedure for the surgical correction of ODS.However,its impact on symptomatic recurrence and postoperative incontinence may be problematic.     

Middle segmental pancreatectomy: A safe and organ-preserving option for benign and low-grade malignant lesions

AIM: To study the feasibility and safety of middle segmental pancreatectomy (MSP) compared with pancreaticoduodenectomy (PD) and extended distal pancreatectomy (EDP). METHODS: We studied retrospectively 36 cases that underwent MSP, 44 patients who underwent PD, and 26 who underwent EDP with benign or low-grade malignant lesions in the mid-portion of the pancreas, between April 2003 and December 2009 in Ruijin Hospital. The perioperative outcomes and long-term outcomes of MSP were compared with those of EDP and PD. Periop-erative outcomes included operative time, intraoperative hemorrhage, transfusion, pancreatic fistula, intraabdominal abscess/infection, postoperative bleeding, reoperation, mortality, and postoperative hospital time. Long-term outcomes, including tumor recurrence, newonset diabetes mellitus (DM), and pancreatic exocrine insufficiency, were evaluated. RESULTS: Intraoperative hemorrhage was 316.1 ± 309.6, 852.2 ± 877.8 and 526.9 ± 414.5 mL for the MSP, PD and EDP groups, respectively (P < 0.05). The mean postoperative daily fasting blood glucose level was significantly lower in the MSP group than in the EDP group (6.3 ± 1.5 mmol/L vs 7.3 ± 1.5 mmol/L, P < 0.05). The rate of pancreatic fistula was higher in the MSP group than in the PD group (42% vs 20.5%, P = 0.039), all of the fistulas after MSP corresponded to grade A (9/15) or B (6/15) and were sealed following conservative treatment. There was no significant difference in the mean postoperative hospital stay between the MSP group and the other two groups. After a mean follow-up of 44 mo, no tumor recurrences were found, only one patient (2.8%) in the MSP group vs five (21.7%) in the EDP group developed new-onset insulin-dependent DM postoperatively (P = 0.029). Moreover, significantly fewer patients in the MSP group than in the PD (0% vs 33.3%, P < 0.001) and EDP (0% vs 21.7%, P = 0.007) required enzyme substitution. CONCLUSION: MSP is a safe and organ-preserving option for benign or low-grade malignant lesions in the neck and pr     

Pancreatic fistula:A proposed percutaneous procedure

AIM:To propose a percutaneous treatment for otherwise intractable pancreatic fistula (PF).METHODS:From 2005 to 2011,12 patients (9 men and 3 women,mean age 59 years,median 63 years,range 33-78 years) underwent radiological treatment for high-output PF associated with peripancreatic fluid collection.The percutaneous procedures were performed after at least 4 wk of unsuccessful conservative treatments.We chose either a one or two step procedure,depending on the size and characteristics of the fistula and the fluid collection (with an arbitrary cut-off of 2 cm).Initially,2 to 6 pigtail drainages of variable size from 8.3 (8.3-Pig Duan Cook,Bloomington,Indiana,United States) to 14 Fr (Flexima,Boston Scientific,Natick,United States) were positioned inside the collection using a transgastric approach.In a second procedure,after 7-10 d,two or more endoprostheses (cystogastrostomic 8 Fr double-pigtail,Cook,Bloomington,Indiana,United States in 10 patients;covered Niti-S stent,TaeWoong Medical Co,Seoul,South Korea in 2 patients) were placed between the collection and the gastric lumen.In all cases the metal or plastic pros-theses were removed within one year after positioning.RESULTS:Four out of 12 high-output fistulas fistulas were external while 8/12 were internal.The origin of the fistulous tract was visualised by computer tomography (CT) imaging studies:in 11 patients it was at the body,and in 1 patient at the tail of the pancreas.Single or multiple drainages were positioned under CT guidance.The catheters were left in place for a varying period (0 to 40 d-median 10 and 25 th-75 th percentile 0-14).In one case external transgastric drainages were left in place for a prolonged time (40 d) due to the presence of vancomycin-resistant bacteria (Staphylococcus) and fluconazole-resistant fungi (Candida) in the drained fluid.In this latter case systemic and local antibiotic therapy was administered.In both single and two-step techniques,when infection was present,we carried out additional washing with antibiotics to improve the likelihood of the procedure’s success.In all cases the endoprostheses were left in situ for a few weeks and endoscopically removed after remission of collections,as ascertained by CT scan.Procedural success rate was 100% as the resolution of external PF was achieved in all cases.There were no peri-procedural complications in any of the patients.The minimum follow-up was 18 mo.In two cases the procedure was repeated after 1 year,due to the onset of new fluid collections and the development of pseudocysts.Indeed,this type of endoprosthesis is routinely employed for the treatment of pseudocysts.Endoscopy was adopted both for control of the positioning of the endoprosthesis in the stomach,and for its removal after resolution of the fistula and fluid collection.The resolution of the external fistula was assessed clinically and CT scan was employed to demonstrate the resolution of peripancreatic collections for both the internal and external fistulae.CONCLUSION:The percutaneous placement of cistogastrostomic endoprostheses can be used for the treatment of PF that cannot be treated with other procedures.     

Effects of neutrophil elastase inhibitor in patients undergoing esophagectomy:A systematic review and meta-analysis

AIM: To evaluate the benefit and safety of sivelestat(a neutrophil elastase inhibitor) administration in patients undergoing esophagectomy. METHODS: Online databases including Pub Med, EMBASE, the Cochrane Library, Web of Knowledge, and Chinese databases(Wanfang database, VIP and CNKI) were searched systematically up to November 2013. Randomized controlled trials and high-qualitycomparative studies were considered eligible for inclusion. Three reviewers evaluated the methodological quality of the included studies, and Stata 12.0 software was used to analyze the extracted data. The risk ratio(RR) was used to express the effect size of dichotomous outcomes, and mean difference(MD) or standardized mean difference was used to express the effect size of continuous outcomes.RESULTS: Thirteen studies were included in this systematic review and nine studies were included in the meta-analysis. The duration of mechanical ventilation was significantly decreased in the sivelestat group on postoperative day 5 [I2 = 76.3%, SMD =-1.41, 95%CI:-2.63-(-0.19)]. Sivelestat greatly lowered the incidence of acute lung injury in patients after surgery(I2 = 0%, RR = 0.27, 95%CI: 0.08-0.93). However, it did not decrease the incidence of pneumonia, intensive care unit stay or postoperative hospital stay, and did not increase the incidence of complications such as anastomotic leakage, recurrent nerve palsy, wound infection, sepsis and catheter-related fever. CONCLUSION: A neutrophil elastase inhibitor is beneficial in patients undergoing esophagectomy. More high quality, large sample, multi-center and randomized controlled trials are needed to validate this effect.