Minilaparoscopy-assisted transrectal low anterior resection (LAR): a preliminary study

Background

Natural orifice translumenal endoscopic surgery (NOTES) represents the evolution of surgery towards less invasive procedures. The feasibility of NOTES transrectal approach has increased its clinical applicability. This report describes a first series of minilaparoscopy-assisted transrectal low anterior resection with double purse-string end-to-end circular stapler anastomoses.

Methods

Between March and April 2012 three selected patients underwent transrectal minilaparoscopy-assisted natural orifice surgery total mesorectal excision for rectal cancer. All the oncologic principles of open/laparoscopic low anterior resection for rectal cancer were strictly fulfilled. Two patients underwent neoadjuvant treatment. Laparoscopic visualization and assistance was provided through one 10-mm umbilical port and two ports, one of which was used as stoma site (5 mm) and the other as a drain site (2 mm needle port). The specimen was transected transanally followed by the confection of double purse-string lateral/end-to-end anastomoses. There were no intraoperative complications.

Results

Mean operative time was 143 min. Oral intake was initiated on the second postoperative day. Patients were discharged home by day 5. The pathology unit confirmed that distal and circumferential margins were free of tumor invasion, and quality of mesorectum resection was reported satisfactory. One patient had to be readmitted because of severe dehydration due to increased ileostomy output. The patient was discharged at the third day after the readmission without renal failure.

Conclusions

In this preliminary report, transrectal minilaparoscopy-assisted low anterior resection was feasible and safe. Lateral/end-to-end anastomoses can be considered an interesting alternative to the double-stapling technique. However, it is necessary to further study and develop these procedures, along with careful patient selection, before transrectal low anterior resection may be considered for routine clinical use.     

Sexual activity and function in women with and without pelvic floor disorders

Introduction and hypothesis

We describe differences in sexual activity and function in women with and without pelvic floor disorders (PFDs).

Methods

Heterosexual women ≥40 years of age who presented to either urogynecology or general gynecology clinics at 11 clinical sites were recruited. Women were asked if they were sexually active with a male partner. Validated questionnaires and Pelvic Organ Prolapse Quantification (POP-Q) examinations assessed urinary incontinence (UI), fecal incontinence (FI), and/or pelvic organ prolapse (POP). Sexual activity and function was measured by the Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI). Student’s t test was used to assess continuous variables; categorical variables were assessed with Fisher’s exact test and logistic regression. Univariate and multivariate analyses were used to assess the impact of pelvic floor disorders (PFDs) on FSFI total and domain scores.

Results

Five hundred and five women met eligibility requirements and gave consent for participation. Women with and without PFDs did not differ in race, body mass index (BMI), comorbid medical conditions, or hormone use. Women with PFDs were slightly older than women without PFDs (55.6?+?10.8 vs. 51.6?+?8.3 years, P <0.001); all analyses were controlled for age. Women with PFDs were as likely to be sexually active as women without PFDs (61.6 vs. 75.5 %, P?=?0.09). There was no difference in total FSFI scores between cohorts (23.2?+?8.5 vs. 24.4?+?9.2, P?=?0.23) or FSFI domain scores (all P?=?NS).

Conclusion

Rates of sexual activity and function are not different between women with and without PFDs.     

The astrocyte in multiple sclerosis revisited

Among the constituent cell types of the multiple sclerosis (MS) plaque, the astrocyte has been the least considered as a player in the pathogenesis of the lesion. Traditionally, it has been assigned a secondary scarring role with little or no role in lesion formation or repair. However, the recent upsurge of interest in the demyelinating condition neuromyelitis optica (NMO) has resulted in NMO being identified as the first disease of myelin in which primary damage to astrocytes, resulting from a humoral immune response that forms against the water channel aquaporin‐4, has been documented. This finding in NMO prompted us to re‐examine data and material from cases of MS displaying active lesions. Our reappraisal revealed unambiguous early damage to perivascular astrocyte end‐feet and to hypertrophic astrocytes in the adjacent parenchyma, but whether this was a primary event was difficult to evaluate due to concomitant edema and inflammation in these acute lesions. The astrocyte damage was long‐lasting since resolving lesions displaying remyelination also showed defects in the integrity of the astrocytic covering around blood vessels. Analysis of our findings and of the astrocytic literature supports multiple roles for the astrocyte in the evolution of changes encountered in MS depending upon lesion stage and lesion topography. At variance with the somewhat inhibitory role of the astrocyte is the abundant and growing evidence for this cell to actively participate in both lesion development and repair. We propose that the unequivocal selective early involvement of the astrocyte in MS lesions may have therapeutic relevance. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.     

Transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) as bridge therapy restoring eligibility for liver transplantation in cirrhotic patients

Severe aortic stenosis is a widespread valve disease, constituting a contraindication to organ transplantation due to cardiovascular morbidity and projected mortality. Mortality after conventional surgical aortic valve replacement in cirrhotic patients depends upon the Child–Pugh class. In the past few years, transcatheter aortic valve replacement has progressively become the treatment of choice for high‐risk patients with severe aortic stenosis. Here, we report the cases of 3 cirrhotic patients who became eligible for liver transplantation after successful transcatheter aortic valve replacement as bridge therapy.     

Comparison of 18FDG-PET/CT and conventional follow-up methods in colorectal cancer: A randomised prospective study

BackgroundA surveillance program was performed in colorectal cancer (CRC) patients after surgery, to diagnose asymptomatic recurrence.AimsTo assess whether 18-FDG positron emission tomography/CT (PET/CT) improved the detection of recurrence during a 3-year follow-up.MethodsA multicentre, two-arm randomised prospective trial comparing different 36-month follow-up strategies. Complete colonoscopy was performed at baseline and after 3 years and clinical exams with imaging every 3 months. The conventional arm (A) received carcinoembryonic antigen, liver echography, and alternated between lung radiography and computed tomography (CT) scans. The experimental arm (B) received PET/CT.ResultsA total of 365 patients with colon (79.4%) or rectal cancer (20.6%), stages II (48.2%) or III (50.8%), were enroled in this study. At 36 months, intention-to-treat analysis revealed recurrence in 31 (17.2%) patients in arm A and 47 (25.4%) in arm B (p = 0.063). At 3 years, 7 of 31 relapses (22.5%) in arm A were surgically treated with curative intent, compared to 17 of 47 (36.2%) in arm B (p = 0.25). The rates of recurrence and new cancers were higher in arm B than arm A (p = 0.038).ConclusionsPET/CT follow-up every 6 months did not increase the rate of recurrence at 3 years or the rate of surgically treated recurrence compared with conventional follow-up.