Multicentre prospective audit of surgical outcomes and acute complications following short course pre-operative radiotherapy for resectable rectal cancer

BACKGROUND: The addition of short course pre-operative radiotherapy to total mesorectal excision reduces local recurrence in resectable adenocarcinoma of the rectum. In a previous retrospective study potential factors associated with early complications following this combination were identified. The aim of this study was to examine these relationships in a prospective multicentre audit. METHODS: One hundred and seven patients who received short course pre-operative radiotherapy in four cancer centres between 1 October 2001 and 30 September 2002 were included. Data including patient age, radiotherapy field length, overall treatment time, operation type, surgical outcomes and complications occurring within 3 months of the 1st day of radiotherapy were collected. These were compared and combined with the previously studied cohort of 176 patients treated at one centre between 1st January 1998 and 31st December 1999. RESULTS: In the prospective cohort only patient age (P=0.001) was significantly associated with acute complications. However, both the overall treatment time (median 9.0 vs 11.0 days P <0.0001) and field length (median 16.6 vs 17.0 cm P=0.03) were significantly shorter in this cohort when compared to the previous retrospective study. In patients from both studies (n=283), increasing age (P=0.002) and field length (independent of operation type) (P=0.02) were independently associated with an increased risk of acute complications. CONCLUSIONS: This study suggests that meticulous selection of patients for short course pre-operative radiotherapy and smaller planning target volumes may be associated with a lower risk of acute complications. The use of MRI scanning to stage pelvic disease may reduce the number of patients with R1 resections receiving short course pre-operative radiotherapy.     

The use of a dedicated rectosigmoidoscope for ultrasound staging of tumours of the upper and middle third of the rectum

OBJECTIVE: Tumours of the upper rectum, and many in the middle third, are not accessible to endorectal ultrasound staging because of the difficulty in reaching all sites of the rectum with a rigid probe. The aim of this prospective study was to assess whether using a dedicated rectosigmoidoscope, endorectal ultrasonography (ERUS) can accurately stage any rectal lesion irrespective of its distance from the anal verge. METHOD: A total of 173 consecutive patients with a primary rectal tumour were included. A rotating, high multifrequency (5.0-10 MHz) endoprobe was introduced through a dedicated rectosigmoidoscope and advanced above the lesion. A computer allowed for three-dimensional (3D) reconstruction of 2D images. Treatment was selected on the basis of 3D-ERUS findings. ERUS staging was correlated with pathological staging. RESULTS: The depth of invasion was correctly determined by 3D-ERUS in 78.2% of tumours of the lower rectum, 76.4% of tumours extending between the lower and middle third of the rectum, 80.9% of tumours of the middle third of the rectum, 78.5% of tumours extending between the middle and upper third of the rectum and 78.9% of tumours of the upper rectum. The accuracy for the absence of lymph node metastases was 81.2% for tumours of the lower rectum, 78.5% for tumours extending between the lower and middle third of the rectum, 85.7% for tumours of the middle third of the rectum, 83.3% for tumours extending between the middle and upper third of the rectum and 78.5% for tumours of the upper rectum. Analysis showed that there was no difference between the various tumour sites. CONCLUSION: Our findings indicate that using a dedicated proctosigmoidoscope, tumours of the upper and middle third of the rectum are equally accessible to ultrasonographic evaluation. The distance of the tumour from the anal verge does not influence the accuracy of examinations considered adequate by the operator.     

Staged anterior resection and TEM to preserve rectal function in synchronous malignant and benign rectal lesions

BACKGROUND: Traditionally patients with a high rectosigmoid carcinoma and a synchronous large distal rectal adenoma would be treated by low anterior resection with associated loss of rectal function. METHOD: Four patients with a carcinoma of the upper rectum or distal sigmoid colon and a synchronous distal rectal adenoma were treated by high anterior resection followed by staged Transanal Endoscopic Microsurgery (TEM) thus conserving the distal rectum. Preoperative and postoperative rectal function was assessed using the St. Mark's incontinence score. RESULTS: The proximal carcinomas and distal adenomas were 12-18 cms and 0.5-9 cms respectively from the dentate line. The mean surface area of the distal adenomas was 9.7 cms2. There were no deaths or major complications. There were no recurrences after a mean follow-up of 31.5 months. Rectal function was unchanged in three patients with a minor increase in the score in one. CONCLUSION: Staged high anterior resection and 'rEM offers effective treatment of synchronous rectosigmoid carcinoma and distal rectal adenoma with preservation of rectal function.     

直肠癌根治会阴部造口术后二期股薄肌移植肛门成形

目的　回顾性总结32例直肠癌根治会阴部造口术后二期股薄肌移植肛门成形术的治疗效果。方法　采用Williams 5级评分法对重建前后肛门功能进行评价。结果　二期股薄肌移植肛门成形术前,32例患者肛门功能均在4级以上[4级28.4%(9/32),5级71.6%(23/32)],二期股薄肌移植肛门成形术后肛门功能明显好转。结论　二期股薄肌移植肛门成形术是直肠癌根治会阴部造口术后有效的肛门重建手段。     

Anal and rectal cancer in Crohn's disease

Several epidemiological studies have been published regarding the risk of Crohn's disease‐ associated colorectal cancer. The findings are, however, contradictory and it has been particularly difficult to obtain indisputable information on the incidence of cancer limited to the rectum and the anus. During 1987–2000 rectal or anal cancer was diagnosed in 335 patients in Sweden (153 males, 182 females). In other words, approximately 3 Crohn patients per million inhabitants were diagnosed with rectal or anal cancer every year during that time period which is 1% of the total number of cases. At diagnosis of cancer 36% were aged below 50 years and 58% below 60 years. Corresponding figures for all cases of anal and rectal cancer were 5% and 18%, respectively. Present knowledge from the literature implies that there is an increased risk of rectal and anal cancer only in Crohn's disease patients with severe proctitis or severe chronic perianal disease. However, the rectal remnant must also be considered a risk factor. Multimodal treatment is similar to that in sporadic cancer but proctectomy and total or partial colectomy is added depending on the extent of the Crohn's disease. The outcome is the same as in sporadic cancer at a corresponding stage but the prognosis is often poor due to the advanced stage of cancer at diagnosis. We suggest that six high‐risk groups should be recommended annual surveillance after a duration of Crohn's disease of 15 years including extensive colitis, chronic severe anorectal disese, rectal remnant, strictures, bypassed segments and sclerosing cholangitis.     

直肠癌旁移行粘膜电镜观察

对１６例直肠癌旁０～５ｃｍ粘膜采用粘蛋白组织化学与电镜的方法对比观察。结果表明，移行区细胞有早期亚微结构的病理改变，杯状细胞及未分化细胞增多，有轻度异形性，并出现“双重特征”细胞。证明癌旁移行粘膜细胞成熟迟缓，应视为潜在癌前期改变。     

Rectal sensorimotor characteristics in female patients with idiopathic constipation with or without paradoxical sphincter contraction

Patients with chronic constipation fulfilling the Thompson criteria can show paradoxical sphincter contraction. Aim of this study was to evaluate rectal sensorimotor characteristics in patients with constipation with or without paradoxical sphincter contraction. Thirty female patients with chronic constipation and 22 female controls were investigated with anal manometry and rectal barostat. Paradoxical sphincter contraction was shown with manometry as a paradoxical increase of anal pressure during straining. Visceral sensitivity and compliance were tested by intermittent and continuous pressure-controlled distension. Patients were classified according to their sensations and compliance into normal, hypersensitive, reduced compliant, insensitive or excessive compliant rectum. Postprandial rectal response (PRR) and phasic volume events (PVEs) were registered for 1 h after a 600-kCal meal. Paradoxical sphincter contraction was found in 13 (43%) patients. In these patients, rectal sensitivity scores were higher (P = 0.045) than in patients without paradoxical contractions, but rectal compliance was not different. In 90% of patients an abnormal rectal sensitivity or compliance was found: excessively compliant in 35%, reduced compliant in 10%, hypersensitive in 27% and hyposensitive in 17%. Both patients with constipation (11%; P = 0.042) and controls (25%; P = 0.002) exhibited the presence of a postprandial rectal response. This response was not significantly different between idiopathic constipation, paradoxical sphincter contraction and controls. Patients with rectal hypersensitivity had lower response than other patients (P = 0.04). Patients with constipation had fewer basal PVEs compared controls (P = 0.03). Postprandial PVEs increased in both patients (P = 0.014) and controls (P < 0.001). Postprandial rectal response and PVE were not different in patients with or without paradoxical sphincter contraction. A total of 90% of female patients with idiopathic constipation show an abnormality in rectal sensation or compliance. The postprandial rectal response was comparable between patients with constipation and controls, however, PVEs were diminished. Patients with paradoxical sphincter contraction had higher rectal sensitivity but an unaltered compliance and postprandial rectal response. Future trials should investigate whether the classification of rectal abnormalities in patients with constipation has clinical importance.     

吻合器痔上黏膜环切治疗直肠内脱垂的效果

①目的探讨直肠内脱垂的有效治疗方法。②方法对11例直肠内脱垂的病人行吻合器痔上黏膜环切术(PPH)，术后随访1～12个月。③结果全部病人术后均排便通畅，排便时间明显缩短，无明显手术并发症。④结论PPH治疗直肠内脱垂，手术操作简便、安全、疗效可靠，病人痛苦小、恢复快、并发症少，是一种值得推广的治疗方法。     

115例腹会阴直肠切除术会阴伤口一期缝合的评估

本文就115例腹会阴直肠切除术,对会阴伤口的两种不同处理方法进行分析比较.在年龄、性别、病理分期及恶性程度无明显差异的情况下,会阴伤口一期缝合组的平均愈合时间为16.90±4.35天,伤口敞开组为37.04±15.44天,差异显著(P<0.002).术后局部复发率分别为3/69例和2/46例,均为4.35%(P>0.05).一期缝合组的平均住院费用约为敞开组的46.87%～76.52%.作者指出,鉴于直肠癌逆行向下的淋巴扩散极为罕见,仅发生于高恶性或伴广泛淋巴转移的病例,因而对癌肿远端需切除2cm～3cm正常肠管而同时切除肛直肠环、不得不作手术者,会阴部清除范围无需太大,会阴伤口可分层完全缝合;对位于肛管内或侵及肛直肠环的癌肿,须彻底清除坐骨直肠窝脂肪结缔组织.本文两组术后局部复发率无差异,进一步表明这一认识的正确性.本组结果充分表明了会阴伤口一期缝合法的合理性与可行性.     

A Single-Blind, Crossover Comparison of the Pharmacokinetics and Cognitive Effects of a New Diazepam Rectal Gel with Intravenous Diazepam

Summary: Purpose: The objective of this study was to compare the pharmacokinetics and cognitive effects of a new diazepam (DZP) rectal gel (Diastat®) with intravenously administered DZP.
Methods: Twenty healthy volunteers were enrolled in a single-blind, randomized, double-dummy, two-period, crossover study. Subjects received either 15 mg of DZP rectal gel or 7.5 mg of DZP by intravenous infusion. Blood samples for DZP and desmethyldiazepam analysis were obtained before the dose and from 3 min to 240 h after the dose. Heart rate and blood pressure were measured over the first 24-h period. Subjects also completed five repetitions of a neuropsychological test battery over the first 8-h period.
Results: Diazepam rapidly appeared in plasma after rectal administration, exceeding 200 ng/mL within 15 min and reaching an initial maximum of 373 ng/ml at 45 min and a second maximum of 447 ± 91.1 ng/ml at ∼70 min. The absolute bioavailability of DZP rectal gel was 90.4%. Subjects receiving intravenous DZP were less alert and performed less efficiently on the WAIS Digit Symbol test 6 min after the dose. Subjects receiving DZP rectal gel performed less well on the WAIS Digit Span test 1 h after the dose and required more time to complete the Letter Cancellation and Grooved Pegboard tests 1 and 2 h after drug administration.
Conclusions: Diastat® displayed rapid, consistent absorption and was well tolerated. Alterations in cognition were mild and dissipated within 4 h of drug administration. This new rectal drug-delivery system offers an easy, safe, and bioavailable method to administer DZP.