Are There Anorectal Physiologic Factors Prior to Biofeedback Treatment for Constipation that Affect Compliance Rate?

PURPOSE: The most important factor for the success of biofeedback treatment of constipation is patients' enthusiastic participation and willingness to comply with the treatment protocol. The purpose of this study was to analyze differences among groups of patients classified according to the number of biofeedback sessions and to identify any anorectal physiological and clinical factors related with better compliance with biofeedback treatment. METHODS: From Aug. 2001 to July 2003, 80 patients who had undergone biofeedback treatment for constipation by a single therapist were classified into three groups according to the number of sessions: only one session (Group I, n=26), two or three sessions (Group II, n=27), and more than four sessions (Group III, n=27). We reviewed the clinical and the anorectal physiological characteristics retrospectively. RESULTS: The mean age was 39.1 (range, 8~77) years, and the mean duration of constipation was 7.7 (range, 0.5~30) years and mean frequency of defecation was 2.2 times/week. Patients' pretreatment use of laxatives was significantly lower in Group I (38.5 percent) than in Group II (70.4 percent) or Group III (51.9 percent) (P<0.05). There were no significant differences in anal manometric parameters (mean and maximal resting pressure, maximal squeezing pressure, sensitivity, and rectal capacity). In the cinedefecographic findings, the megarectum was significantly higher in Group III (58.3 percent) than in Group I (38.9 percent) or Group II (27.8 percent) (P=0.02), but other findings of anismus, rectocele, intussusception, and delayed emptying showed no significant differences. The cinedefecographic parameters (anorectal angle, perineal descent, anal canal length, and puborectalis length), were not significantiy different among the groups. CONCLUSIONS: We strongly recommend biofeedback treatment for constipation patients who abuse laxatives and/or for whom cinedefecography reveals megarectum.

The Diagnostic Concordance of Endoanal Ultrasonography and Endoanal MRI in Cases of Anorectal Fistula

PURPOSE: To evaluate the preoperative diagnostic concordance of morphologic classification of anorectal fistula by endoanal ultrasonography (EUSG) and endoanal magnetic resonance imaging (EMRI). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Between January 1998 and March 1999, 17 patients with anorectal fistula underwent endoanal ultrasonography and magnetic resonance imaging for preoperative assessment. The types of fistula and abscess formation were evaluated, and the findings compared with those obtained during surgery. RESULT: The overall accordance of anorectal fistula was 76% (13 of 17 cases) on ultrasonography and 94% (16 of 17 cases) on magnetic resonance imaging. According to the findings of EUSG, the accordance of each type of anorectal fistula was as follows: transphineteric, 92% (11 of 12 cases); suprasphinteric, 33% (1 of 3); and extrasphincteric, 50% (1 of 2), while for EMRI, the respective figures were 100% (12 of 12 cases), 67% (2 of 3), and 100% (2 of 2). An analysis of reproducibility using kappa value showed that overall concordance between endoanal ultrasonography and surgery(K=0.820) as well as between endoanal MRI and surgery (K=0.866), was very close. CONCLUSION: For the evaluation of anorectal fistula, preoperative endoanal magnetic resonance imaging was more accurate and informative than endoanal ultrasonography.

Clinical Significance of Colon Transit Time Study in Patients with Chronic Constipation

PURPOSE: Measurement of colon transit time is well-known physiologic study for patients with chronic constipation. But information we get from it is frequently inconsistent with patient's complaint. This study was designed to ascertain the actual significance of that measurement. METHODS: The subjects included two groups of patients with chronic constipation. One group consists of 32 patients(group A), The other group 36 patients(group B). Colon transit time study and defecographic examinations were done using previously described methods. But the former study was a little modified in group A, in which sodium phosphate enema was given at the previous day of oral intake of radio-opaque markers. Findings of colon transit time study and their relations to the defecographic results were compared with each other. RESULTS: As for the 5th day-findings of colon transit time, 6 cases(18.7%) were abnormal in group A and 3 cases(8.4%) in group B(statistically not different). As for the 3rd day-findings, 15 cases(46.9%) were abnormal in group A and 7 cases(19.5%) in group B( statistically different, p=0.0163). Defecographic findings showed 7 cases(21.9%) of outlet obstruction pattern in group A and 9 cases(25%) in group B. Correlations between these findings and those of colonic transit time studies were not proven statistically. CONCLUSION: Colon transit time study with single marker bolus and the 5th day photography technique was considered not to reflect the actual conditions of patients with chronic constipation. But sodium phophate enema, given to patients before starting the study, seemed to enhance the accuracy of study.

Clinical Significance of Amplitude in Pudendal Nerve Conduction Study in Patients with Defecation Disorders

Many different kinds of anorectal physiologic studies were performed for the evaluation of defecation disorders. Some of these studies are anorectal manometry and pudendal nerve conduction study. In pudendal nerve conduction study, pudendal nerve terminal motor latency (PNTML) was considered to be very useful for the evaluation and management of these patients. However, evaluation of amplitude in pudendal nerve conduction study has been clinically seldom used. Therefore, the aim of this study was to evaluate the clinical significane of amplitude in pudendal nerve conduction study in patients with defecation disorders by comparing to manometric profiles. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Between February, 1997 and February, 1998 all patients who underwent pudendal nerve conduction study and anorectal manometry for the evaluation of defecation disorders (constipation and fecalincontinence) were analyzed. Latency as well as amplitude in pudendal nerve conduction study were compared in both groups to the pressure profiles in manometric study according to the subgroups of these patients. Statistical analysis were performed by a Chi-square or Student's t-test and significance was assumed when p<0.05. RESULTS: A total of 80 patients, forty constipation with a mean age of 55.3+/-14.5 (GI: range; 24~86) years and forty fecal incontinence with a mean age of 61.1+/-10.3 (GII: range; 37~74) years and a male to female ratio of 25:15 (GI), 28:12 (GII), were studied. PNTML in both sides in GI were significantly decreased in comparision to those of GII (GI: Rt, 2.17+/-0.7 ms Lt, 2.03+/-0.5 ms, GII: Rt, 2.50+/-0.7 ms, Lt 2.64+/-0.8 ms, p<0.05), However, there were no differences between the two groups in terms of amplitudes (GI: Rt 399.0+/-348 uV, Lt 426.8+/-403 uV, GII: Rt, 406.9+/-273 uV Lt, 392.9+/-291 uV, NS) in pudendal nerve conduction study. In manometric findings, even though maximal resting, mean, minimum and maximal pushing pressures were no differences in both groups, mean resting and maximal squeezing pressure were significantly increased in GI than those of GII (GI: 82.4+/-31 cmH20, GII: 60.5+/-25 cmH20 in mean resting pressure, GI: 213.1+/-108 cmH20, GII: 178.7+/-66 cmH20 in maximal squeezing pressure, p<0.05) When we analyzed the overall values of amplitudes according to the diagnosis, age, gender, and the value of PNTML, there were no statistically significant differences between the two groups. But, when the one side of PNTML shorter than the other side, it tended to have a high amplitude in that side than that of the other side in the same patient (the probability for trend was 74%). CONCLUSION: Constipation patient has a shorter PNTML, higher mean resting, and maximal squeezing pressure than fecal incontinene patient. The amplitude in pudendal nerve conduction study had a trend of inverse correlation to the latency in the same patient. Therefore, amplitude in pudendal nerve conduction study might be useful to monitor or predict the outcome after treatment in patients with defecation disorders.

Risk Factors of Recurrent Hemorrhoid after Primary Management

Before surgery for hemorrhoid, patients always have a worry of postoperative recurrence. The exact incidence and risk factors of recurrent hemorrhoid have not yet been delineated up to now. Therefore, the aim of this study was to assess the etiology of the recurrence after surgery. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Between March, 1997 and Feburary 1998, all patients who visited the Dept. of Surgery, Korea Veteran Hosipital, due to the recurrent hemorroid after surgical managememt including sclerotherapy(Group II: GII, n=60) were compared to the age and sex mathed(1:2) with primary hemorroid patients(group I: GI, n=120). The risk factors which might be related with the recurrence such as 1) hemorroidal factor(duration of symtom, symtom, associated perinial disease) 2) patient factor (constipation, incontience, cardiovascular disease, pulmonary and hepatic disease) 3) anorectal physiologic factors 4) surgical factors were evaluated. Stastical analysis were performed by a chi-square-test or Mann-Whitney U test and set the significance at p<0.05. RESULTS: There were no differences between the two groups in terms of age(GI 58.1+/-8.5, GII 60.9+/-3.3 years), gender(M:F, GI; 97:23, GII; 56:4 ). The ratio of having a contipation before surgery was 41% in GI, 55% in GII. It was not statistically significant. However, the other factors related with constipation such as duration of constipation(GI; 9.85+/-7.73 years, GII; 14.62+/-7.38 years: p<0.05), duration of straining during defecation(GI; 5.82+/-2.34, GII; 7.32+/-5.6 minutes, p<0.05) number of laxative use(GI; 29, GII; 28) were significantly different between the two groups. The fecal incontince are 5% in group Iand 13% in group II. There were no differences in patient's subject symtoms related with hemorrhoid, and comorbid perianal disease between the two groups. In anorectal manometric findings, rectal complince was significantly lower in GII than that of GI(25.1+/-50.04 cc/cmH20 vs 16.0+/-25.2 cc/cmH20 p<0.05). GII has a significant number of preopertive hypertension than GI(6.7% vs. 21.6%, p<0.05). CONCLUSION: When a patient with hemorrhoid has a constipation or hypertension, and lower compliance in manometric findings, it would be related with the postoperative recurrence after treatment. Therefore, we surgeons should correct these comorbid conditions before surgery, otherwise give an information to the patient of high chance of postoperative recurrence after management.

Effect of Patient Position with Spinal Anesthesia on the Heart Rate, Arterial Blood Pressure and Arterial Blood Gas Change / 대한마취과학회지

BACKGROUND: Anorectal procedures are performed in the prone jack-knife or lithotomy position. The effect of lithotomy and prone jack-knife position on the heart rate, arterial blood pressure and arterial blood gas has not been compaired. METHODS: 39 consecutive patients who underwent surgery for anorectal disease were performed saddle block. They were randomly classified into two groups: prone jack-knife position(J; n=19) and lithotomy position(L; n=20); patients with cardiovascular disease were excluded. The two groups were well matched for age, gender, weight and height. After spinal anesthesia, heart rate(HR), blood pressure(BP), and arterial blood gases(ABG) including pH, PaO2, PaCO2, HCO3- were measured in the supine position to establish a base line. After position change to either jack-knife or lithotomy, HR, BP(systolic, mean and diastolic) at 10, 20, and 30 minutes and ABG at 20minutes were measured again in each group. The two groups were then compared and any changes were recorded. Premedication was not perfomed in both group. Statistical analysis was performed by Mann-Whitney U test; significance was set at P <0.05. RESULTS: There were no differences between the two groups in terms of baseline HR, BP and ABG. However, HR at 10, 20 and 30 minutes after position change in the L group were increased compared with those of J group(deltaHR (number/minute) at 10 minutes: +3.2+/-7.0(L) versus - 2.8+/-4.9(J), P <0.05, 20 minutes: +5.6+/-7.4(L) versus - 1.8+/-5.2(J), P <0.05, 30 minutes: +6.4+/-8.4(L) versus - 1.2+/-6.0(J), p <0.05), and systolic BP at 30 minutes was increased in the J group(deltaBP: +4.0+/-9.0 mmHg(L) versus +10.1+/-9.9 mmHg(J), p <0.05). 3 patients in the J, and 2 in the L group had complaint of headache and/or upper arm discomfort. CONCLUSION: HR was increased in the lithotomy position, systolic BP at 30 minutes after position change was increased in the J group. But the differences were not so significant clinically. Another parameters were no differences between the two groups. Therefore there is no supiriority in lithotomy or jack-knife position on HR, BP and ABG when anorectal procedure is undergone under spinal anesthesia.

Anorectal Physiology in the Rectal Prolapse Patient

PURPOSE: The aim of our study was to evaluate the physiological spectrum of anorectal dysfunction among patients with full thickness circunferential rectal prolapse. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Between January 1988 and March 1995, 88 patients who visited department colorectal surgery, Cleveland Clinic Florida with rectal prolapse were studied. There were 8 males and 80 females, with a mean age 69 (range 28~101) years. Patients underwent a detailed history and the following anorectal physiology tests were performed: anal canal manometry, pudendal nerve terminal motor latency (PNTML) assessment, anal electromyography and cinedefecography.4 standard continence scoring system, based on the frequency and type of incontinence (0=full continence, 20=complete incontinence) was used. Patients with rectal prolapse (n=88) were divided into two subgroups: Group I=continent patients (n=33) and Group II= incontinent patients (n=55). RESULTS: There were statistically significant differences between each group when comparing mean resting pressures, anal pressures, anal canal length, rectal compliance, rectoanal inhibitory reflex, increased fiber density, the occurrence of premature evacuation (p0.05) between groups. CONCLUSION: Continence may be disturbed in patients with rectal prolapse; knowledge of impairment in continence may assist in surgical management.

A Prospective Randomized Trial of Open and Closed Hemorrhoidectomies

BACKGROUND: Open and closed hemorrhoidectomies are the most common surgical treatment methods for hemorrhoids. However, the advantages and the disadvantages of each procedure have not yet delineated. PURPOSE: To compare open and close hemorrhoidectomies. METHODS: A prospective randomized trial of open and closed hemorrhoidectomies was performed between January 1997 and July 1997. All patients who underwent consecutive, surgery by a single surgeon (JSJ) for grade III or IV homorrhoids were classified into two groups : Open (GI) and closed (GII) hemorrhoidectomies. For the comparison of each procedure, the duration of the hospital stay, the patients' complaints, the pain score (Grade 1-10), and the complications after surgery were assessed.. Followup data were also obtained by telephone interviews. For the physiologic comparison, the preoperative and the postoperative anorectal manometry results were evaluated. RESULTS: Fortyone (41) patients were underwent hemorrhoidectomies : GI (n=18) and GII (n=23). There were no differences between the two groups in terms of duration of symptoms, degree of hemorrhoid, age, and gender. There were no differences respect to parameters related with postoperative complaints during the hospital stay, such as pain on defecation, skin edema, and anal itching. However, bleeding on defecation (83% in GI vs. 43.5% in GII, p<0.05), and anal soiling (61% in GI vs. 13% in GII, p<0.05) were significantly higher in GI patients. The pain score on postoperative day 1 was significantly higher in GI (6.6 vs. 4.9, p<0.05). Other parameters of complications (stricture, 5.7% in GI. vs. 4.3% in GII; defecation difficulty; 5.7% in GI vs. 4.3% in GII; and fecal incontinence; 0% in GI vs. 4.3% in GII) showed no significant differance during the mean followup period of 4.7 months. Neither the mean hospital stay (7 days in GI, 6.2 days in GII) nor the period of complete wound healing (32.7 vs 28.3 days in GI, GII, respectively) was different between the two groups. The preoperative and the postoperative anorectal manometric findings were not different in the two groups. CONCLUSIONS: The closed hemorrhoidectomy was superior to the open procedures in terms of some parameters such as the pain score on postoperative day 1, bleeding on defecation, and postoperative soiling during the hospital stay. However, the intermediate postoperative outcomes were not different for the two procedures.

Mode of Death in Patients with Terminal Stomach Cancer

The mode of death was investigated according to 14 easily accessible clinical symptoms in terminal patients with stomach cancer. The purpose of this study was to understand the mode of death during the terminal period in patients with stomach cancer and to identify possible ways in which to improve patient care. Data were collected on all 65 patients with terminal stomach cancer admitted Department of Surgery, Korean Veterans' Hospital between April 1984 and April 1996. Pain was the most common main symptom on admission, occurring in 34 (52.3%) of the 65 patients. Fourteen patients (21.5%) had weakness, 12 patients (18.5%) had anorexia, 10 patients (15.4%) had edema or ascites, and 5 patients (7.7%) had dyspnea. Statistically significant clinical symptoms were as follows: anorexia, pain, weakness, dyspnea, and ascites or edema. Although the ranges of symptoms were similar on admission and at 1 week before death, there was a shift in prevalence of different types (dyspnea 7.7%-->98.5% and weakness 21.5%-->100%). In the last week of care (the week of death), weakness and dyspnea were the most common symptoms. Anorexia together with weakness and dyspnea was also a common problem. Near death, 65 patients (100%) had weakness, and 64 patients (98.5%) developed dyspnea as their main symptoms. Dyspnea became the most severe symptoms at death and appeared to be the most common uncontrollable problem, especially as death approached.

Factors Influencing the Mortality in Patients with Hepatic Cirrhosis Undergoing Major Abdominal Oberations

Recent reports have shown that the mortality is high in cirrhotic patients undergoing major abdominal operations. However, little information is available on the mechanism of the these high operative risks. The aims of this study were to determine the factors that may influence the mortality following major abdominal operations. We reviewed sixty-two patients with cirrhosis who had undergone major abdominal operations at Korea Veterans Hospital during the period from January 1984 to June 1995. There were 49 men and 13 women, with a mean age of 58.0 years (range=37 to 77 years). The postoperative mortality rate was 19.4%. Various clinical and laboratory factors were examined to find their relationships to the postoperative outcome. By univariate analysis, significant prognostic factors affecting the mortality rate were as follows: a serum albumin level less than 3 g/dl, a prothrombin time (PT) and a partial thromboplastin time (PTT) prolongation of more than 2 second over that of the controls, a platelet count of less than 80,000/mm3, an emergency operation, Hb at arrival of less than 10 g/dl, ascites, an intraoperative blood loss greater than 1000 ml, and an operative time longer than 2 hours(P<0.05). However, only two factors, a serum albumin level less than 3 g/dl and a platelet count less than 80,000/mm3 were significant by dpmultivariate analysis. In conclusion, when operative treatment is undertaken in patients with cirrhosis, preoperative correction of coagulopathy and ascites, the simplest and most expeditious operative procedure, and meticulous hemostasis and perioperative hemodynamic monitoring are essential to reduce the postoperative mortality.

Do We Have a Good Patient's Position for Sigmoidoscopy?

Sigmoidscopy is thought to be one of the basest and most essential tools for evaluation of colorectal patient because it could be performed in an out patient clinic with only minimal bowel preparation. AIM: The aim of this study was to assess the patient's best position for sigmoidoscopy. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Between March 4, 1997 and April 18, 1997, all patients who visited the colorectal clinic at the Dept. of Surgery, Korea Veterans Hospital were alternately underwent sigmoidoscopy in these four different positions: supine(S), left lateral(L), right lateral(R), and jack-knife(J). Sigmoidocopy was routinely performed for all patients who had lower gastrointestinal problems and was done by two well traind surgeons who had performed more than 100 sigmoidoscopies previously to this study, The patients who could not be tolerate insertion of the total length (60 cm) of the sigmoidoscope due to poor bowel preparation and/or complete obstruction by a mass were excluded. We evaluated the patient's complaints according to minimal, moderate, and severe discomfort and time between start and complete insertion of the 60 cm length of the sigmoidoscope. Statistical analysis was performed by an appropriate Anova test and Fisher's exact test. RESULTS: There were no differences among these four groups relative to age(5; 58.0+/-12.7, L; 64.3+/-10.0, R; 62.0+/-10.1, J; 56.0+/-12.9), gender(5; 76%, L; 70%, R; 72%, J, 83%,male ratio), degree of discomfort (mild: 42.9% (5), 50% (L), 33.3%(R), 66.7%(J), moderate: 42.9%(5), 34.6%(L),25%(R), 13.3%(J), severe: 14.3%(5), 15.4%(L), 41.7%(R), 20%(J)) and duration of insertion of the sigmoidoscope(5; 264.4 +/-192.9, L; 226.5 +/-267, R; 301.6+/-361.3, J; 202.5 +/-117.8 seconds). Also, there were no statistical significances between the two groups according to the surgeon who performed the procedure. CONCLUSION: The best position for sigmoidoscopy does not depend on the patient's position. Therefore, allowing the patient to change his position during the procedure would be the best way for an easy and comfortable sigmoidscopy.

Can We Predict the Severity of Fecal Incontinence by Preoperative Physiologic

Many kinds of different treatment options for fecal incontinence such as biofeedback therapy, anterior or posterior sphincteroplasty, pelvic floor repair, gracilis or gluteus muscle transposition have been introduced. However, appropriate indications for these treatment options have not yet been delineated up to now. PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to access the preoperative severity of fecal incontinence by physiologic tests to give an idea that indications of appropriate selection criteria and parameters for assess the outcome could be simultaneously considered by preoperatively objective physiologic data. MATERIALS AND METHODS: From January 3, 1997 to, August 1, 1997 all patients with fecal incontinence who visited colorectal clinic in the Department of Surgery, Korea Veterans Hospital, were classified into two groups according to the severity of fecal incontinence (0~20): Group I (1~9), Group II (10~20) and compared them with the results of physiologic tests: anorectal manometry, endorectal ultrasound (ERU), cinedefecography, and pudendal nerve terminal motor latency (PNTML). Statistical analysis was performed by Student's-t test, and Chi-square test and p<0.05 was considered significant. RESULTS: The number of GI was 25, and GII was 22. There were no differences between the two groups in terms of age (GI: 57.7+/-14.5, GII: 61.4+/-14.0years), gender (male: female, 19:6, 16:6), cause (neurogenic; 11/25 (GI),7/22(GII), postanal surgery; 6/25,6/22) obstetric trauma (2/25, 2/22), anal trauma (1/25, 1/22) diabetes melitus (1/25, 2/22), rectal prolapse (2/25, 1/22), and others (2/25, 3/22), duration of fecal incontinence (64.4+/-82.2, 48.7+/-65.3 months), high pressure zone (3.3+/-1.7, 3.5+/-1.4 cm), mean resting pressure (50.5+/-27.0, 51.9+/-18.7 cm H2O), maximal resting pressure (88.4+/-50.6, 89.4+/-41.8 cm), maximal squeezing pressure (150.6+/-71.0, 129.7+/-59.5 cm H2O), rectoanal inhibitatory reflex (13/21, 8/21 positive), sensitivity (37.5+/-15.2, 41.8+/-29.0 cc), compliance (19.0+/-14.5, 21.4+/-39.4 cc/cm H2O) in anorectal manometric findings, anal sphincter defect (13/21, 15/22 positive), size of defect (60+/-26.30degrees, 71 +/-30.8degrees/360degrees), thickness of the external anal sphincter (3.46+/-0.78, 3.84 +/-1.02 cm), thickness of internal anal sphincter (1.58+/-0.79, 1.74+/-0.81 cm) in ERU, anorectal angle in rest (85.2+/-28.0degrees, 97+/-22.9degrees), squeeze (72+/-27.1degrees, 82 +/-19.7degrees), push (100+/-43.9degrees, 117.9+/-34.5degrees), length of perineal descent in rest (3.7+/-1.2, 3.6+/-1.7 cm), squeeze (2.9+/-1.5, 2.7+/-1.5 cm), push (7.9+/-3.5, 6.6+/-2.6 cm) in cinedefecography. However, rectal capacity in manometry (212.5+/-99.9, 155+/-51.5 cc, p<0.05), right PNTML (1.73+/-0.39, 2.71+/-0.83 ms, p<0.001), and left PNTML (1.83+/-0.43, 2.94+/-0.80 ms, p<0.001) were significantly increased in GII compare to those of GI. CONCLUSION: As the severity of fecal incontinence was increased, rectal capacity, right and, left PNTML were increased.

Preoperative abdominal computed tomography in gastric malignant / 대한암학회지

No abstract available.