Effectiveness of Autologous Fat Graft in Treating Fecal Incontinence

PURPOSE: The most common risk factor for fecal incontinence (FI) is obstetric injury. FI affects 1.4%–18% of adults. Most patients are unaware when they are young, when symptoms appear suddenly and worsen with aging. Autologous fat graft is widely used in cosmetic surgical field and may substitute for injectable bulky agents in treating FI. Authors have done fat graft for past several years. This article reports the effectiveness of the fat graft in treating FI and discusses satisfaction with the procedure. METHODS: Fat was harvested from both lateral thighs using 10-mL Luer-loc syringe. Pure fat was extracted from harvests and mixed with fat, oil, and tumescent through refinement. Fats were injected into upper border of posterior ano-rectal ring, submucosa of anal canal and intersphincteric space. Thirty-five patients with FI were treated with this method from July 2016 to February 2017 in Busan Hangun Hospital. They were 13 male (mean age, 60.8 years) and 22 female patients (mean age, 63.3 years). The Wexner score was checked before procedure. We evaluated outcome in outpatients by asking the patients. For 19 patients we checked the Wexner score after procedure. RESULTS: Symptom improved in 29 (82.9%), and not improved in 6 (17.1%). In 2 of 6 patients, they felt better than before procedure, although not satisfied. No improvement in 4. Mean Wexner score was 9.7 before procedure. There were no serious complications such as inflammation or fat embolism. CONCLUSION: Autologous fat graft can be an effective alternative treatment for FI. It is safe and easy to perform, and cost effective.

Early Experience With a Partial Stapled Hemorrhoidopexy for Treating Patients With Grades III–IV Prolapsing Hemorrhoids

PURPOSE: Circular stapled hemorrhoidopexy (CSH) is widely used to treat patients with grades III–IV hemorrhoids because of less pain and short hospital stay. However, this procedure is associated with some complications, such as urge to defecate, anal stenosis, staple line dehiscence, abscess and sepsis. To avoid these complications, surgeons perform a partial stapled hemorrhoidopexy (PSH). The aim of this study is to present our early experience with the PSH. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed the medical records of 58 patients with hemorrhoids who were treated with a PSH at Busan Hang-Un Hospital from January 2016 to June 2016. A specially designed tri-window anoscope was used, and a purse string suture was made at the mucosae of the protruding hemorrhoids through the window of the anoscope. The hemorrhoidopexy was done by using a circular stapler. RESULTS: Of the 58 patients included in this study, 34 were male and 24 were female patients (mean age, 50.4 years). The mean operation time was 12.4 minutes, and the mean postoperative hospital stay was 3.8 days. Three patients experienced bleeding (5.1%) 5 urinary retention (8.6%) and 5 skin tags (8.6%). Urge to defecate, tenesmus, abscess, rectovaginal fistula, anal stricture, incontinence, and recurrence did not occur. CONCLUSION: PSH is a minimally invasive, feasible, and safe technique for treating patients with grades III–IV hemorrhoids. A PSH, instead of a CSH, can be used to treat certain patients with hemorrhoids.

Laparoscopically Assisted Hartmann's Procedure Followed by Laparoscopic Reversal in a Patient with Peritonitis Induced by Colonic Perforation / 대한내시경복강경외과학회지

Although laparoscopic surgery has been adopted for the treatment of peritonitis since the time laparoscopy was introduced for emergency operations, a laparoscopic Hartmann's procedure has not been described. We report on a Hartmann's procedure and its reversal for the treatment of peritonitis from colonic perforation by laparoscopic surgery. A 43-year-old female was diagnosed with fecal peritonitis due to a colonic perforation in the rectosigmoid colon. Five trocars were used and a Lapdisc(R) (Hakko medical, Japan) was placed at the previous Phannelstiel incision site. One hundred sixty minutes were needed for the laparoscopic Hartmann's procedure following peritoneal lavage. An oral diet was started at the postoperative 6th day and the patient was discharged on the 20th day with complete recovery. Hartmann's reversal was laparoscopically performed 3 months later. A Lapdisc was placed at the colostomy site following colostomy take-down. Four trocars were inserted at the same area as the first operation. The operative time was 180 minutes. There were no postoperative complications.