Lower Gastrointestinal Bleeding Secondary to Appendiceal Mucinous Neoplasm: A Report of Two Cases and a Review of the Literature.

Appendicular mucinous neoplasms, constituting less than 1% of gastrointestinal tract neoplasms, are heterogeneous entities. They may be asymptomatic, discovered incidentally, or present as large tumors due to mucin accumulation. The lack of standardized treatment complicates management. Imaging studies, particularly CT scans, are crucial for diagnosis and follow-up. This case report presents two clinical cases of women in their sixth and seventh decades of life with a history of lower gastrointestinal bleeding, mild anemia in laboratory studies, and incomplete colonoscopies. The diagnosis, confirmed through CT scans, led to the decision for surgical intervention in both cases, involving laparoscopic right hemicolectomy with ileotransverse anastomosis. Subsequently, histopathological reports confirmed the diagnosis of high-grade appendicular mucinous neoplasms, and a follow-up plan was established with imaging studies every six months with no recurrence at two years. Over 50% of appendicular tumors are mucinous neoplasms originating from low-grade mucinous neoplasms. Given the low lymph node invasion (2%), appendectomy may suffice if the entire tumor is excised. Extensive resections or right hemicolectomy are reserved for larger tumors or high-grade neoplasms to minimize local recurrence risk. Mucinous neoplasms with acellular mucin and peritoneal invasion may require cytoreduction or right hemicolectomy, while those with mucinous epithelium may need hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy (HIPEC) due to the risk of local recurrence, worsened by the presence of extra appendiceal epithelial cells. Disease-free and overall survival depend on treatment and initial lesion characterization. A five-year survival rate of 86% is reported for low-grade mucinous neoplasms. Follow-up approaches lack an ideal standard, generally involving physical examinations and imaging studies every six months to one year during the first six years.

Emergency surgical treatment for active bleeding and anemia in patients with hemorrhoidal disease.

INTRODUCTION: The purpose of the study is to describe the clinical and surgical characteristics of patients with hemorrhoidal disease (HD), anemia, and active bleeding in need of urgent surgery. METHODS: It is a descriptive, retrospective study of 510 patients between 2015 and 2019. Male and female patients diagnosed with HD. The records of these patients were reviewed, and we identified those who underwent emergency surgery due to active bleeding, anemia, shock, and other clinical problems. Statistical analysis was carried out with the SPSS version 24 software. RESULTS: Fifty-three (10.3%) patients met the criteria for presenting active hemorrhoidal bleeding at the time of review and clinical and biochemical data of anemia. Patients presented a mean hemoglobin of 7.5 g/dl. The most frequent degree of HD was Grade II. The treatment received in 92.5% of the cases was hemorrhoidectomy with the Ferguson technique; in 5.7% (3), a hemorrhoidectomy was performed with an advanced energy device, and 1.9% (1) underwent the Milligan-Morgan technique. CONCLUSIONS: Emergency hemorrhoidectomy is the treatment of choice for patients with severe active bleeding from HD.

INTRODUCCIÓN: El propósito del estudio es describir las características clínicas y quirúrgicas de los pacientes con enfermedad hemorroidal, sangrado activo y anemia con necesidad de cirugía. METODOLOGÍA: Se trata de un estudio descriptivo y retrospectivo de 510 pacientes de ambos sexos diagnosticados con enfermedad hemorroidal entre 2015 y 2019. Se revisaron los expedientes de los pacientes sometidos a cirugía urgente con presencia de sangrado, anemia, choque y otros problemas clínicos. El análisis estadístico fue realizado con el software SPSS version 24. RESULTADOS: El 10.3% (53) de los pacientes fueron diagnosticados con sangrado hemorroidal activo al momento de la revisión y con datos clínicos y bioquímicos de anemia. El promedio de hemoglobina de estos fue de 7.5 g/dl. La enfermedad hemorroidal grado II fue la más frecuente. Se realizó hemorroidectomia tipo Ferguson en el 92.5% (49) de los casos; 5.7% (3) fueron operados con energía avanzada y solo 1.9% (1) con la técnica Milligan-Morgan. CONCLUSIONES: La hemorroidectomia de urgencia es el tratamiento de elección en el sangrado activo severo por enfermedad hemorroidal.

The Age-AST-D Dimer (AAD) Regression Model Predicts Severe COVID-19 Disease.

AIM: Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) ranges from mild clinical phenotypes to life-threatening conditions like severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS). It has been suggested that early liver injury in these patients could be a risk factor for poor outcome. We aimed to identify early biochemical predictive factors related to severe disease development with intensive care requirements in patients with COVID-19. METHODS: Data from COVID-19 patients were collected at admission time to our hospital. Differential biochemical factors were identified between seriously ill patients requiring intensive care unit (ICU) admission (ICU patients) versus stable patients without the need for ICU admission (non-ICU patients). Multiple linear regression was applied, then a predictive model of severity called Age-AST-D dimer (AAD) was constructed (n = 166) and validated (n = 170). RESULTS: Derivation cohort: from 166 patients included, there were 27 (16.3%) ICU patients that showed higher levels of liver injury markers (P < 0.01) compared with non-ICU patients: alanine aminotrasnferase (ALT) 225.4 ± 341.2 vs. 41.3 ± 41.1, aspartate aminotransferase (AST) 325.3 ± 382.4 vs. 52.8 ± 47.1, lactic dehydrogenase (LDH) 764.6 ± 401.9 vs. 461.0 ± 185.6, D-dimer (DD) 7765 ± 9109 vs. 1871 ± 4146, and age 58.6 ± 12.7 vs. 49.1 ± 12.8. With these finding, a model called Age-AST-DD (AAD), with a cut-point of <2.75 (sensitivity = 0.797 and specificity = 0.391, c - statistic = 0.74; 95%IC: 0.62-0.86, P < 0.001), to predict the risk of need admission to ICU (OR = 5.8; 95% CI: 2.2-15.4, P = 0.001), was constructed. Validation cohort: in 170 different patients, the AAD model < 2.75 (c - statistic = 0.80 (95% CI: 0.70-0.91, P < 0.001) adequately predicted the risk (OR = 8.8, 95% CI: 3.4-22.6, P < 0.001) to be admitted in the ICU (27 patients, 15.95%). CONCLUSIONS: The elevation of AST (a possible marker of early liver injury) along with DD and age efficiently predict early (at admission time) probability of ICU admission during the clinical course of COVID-19. The AAD model can improve the comprehensive management of COVID-19 patients, and it could be useful as a triage tool to early classify patients with a high risk of developing a severe clinical course of the disease.

Ulcerative colitis: epidemiology, clinical features and associated factors with surgical treatment in a tertiary hospital in Mexico.

BACKGROUND: An increase incidence of ulcerative colitis (UC) has been reported in Mexico. It is important to know the clinical features of patients with UC, their clinical course, need for surgical treatment and outcomes. OBJECTIVE: To describe the demographic and clinical features of patients with UC, emphasizing the factors associated with the need for surgical treatment. METHOD: A retrospective, cross-sectional, analytical study was made which included 60 patients with diagnosis of UC confirmed by histopathology. The demographic, clinical and biochemical data of each patient will be collected. The severity was measured based on the Truelove and Witts scale, endoscopic Mayo score and Riley histological index. RESULTS: Of the patients included, the proportion was equal between men and women. The mean age of presentation was 40.6 ± 13.3 years. The extent of the disease at the time of diagnosis was proctitis in the majority of patients (61.7%). Nineteen patients (31.8%) presented extraintestinal manifestations. 55% of the patients had as sole treatment 5-aminosalicylates. Fourteen patients (23.3%) required surgical treatment mainly due to lack of response to medical treatment. CONCLUSIONS: The clinical features of UC are useful to identify patients who may present a torpid evolution of the disease and who may require surgical treatment.

ANTECEDENTES: Se tiene evidencia de un aumento en la incidencia de la colitis ulcerosa crónica idiopática (CUCI) en México, pero varía según el Estado e incluso entre hospitales de una misma región. Es importante conocer las características clínicas de los pacientes con CUCI, su curso clínico, necesidad de tratamiento quirúrgico y desenlaces. OBJETIVO: Describir las características demográficas y clínicas de los pacientes con CUCI, enfatizando en los factores asociados a la necesidad de tratamiento quirúrgico. MÉTODO: Estudio retrospectivo que incluyó 60 pacientes con diagnóstico de CUCI confirmado por histopatología. Se colectaron los datos demográficos, clínicos y bioquímicos de cada paciente. La gravedad se midió con la escala de Truelove y Witts, la escala endoscópica de Mayo y el índice histológico de Riley. RESULTADOS: Se incluyeron 30 hombres y 30 mujeres. La media de edad fue de 40.6 ± 13.3 años. La extensión de la enfermedad fue proctitis en el 61.7%. Diecinueve pacientes (31.8%) presentaron manifestaciones extraintestinales. El 55% tenían como tratamiento único ácido 5-aminosalicílico. Catorce pacientes (23.3%) requirieron tratamiento quirúrgico, principalmente por falta de respuesta al tratamiento médico. CONCLUSIONES: Las características clínicas de la CUCI son útiles para identificar a los pacientes que pudieran presentar una evolución tórpida de la enfermedad y requerir tratamiento quirúrgico.

Synchronous Resection of Colon Adenocarcinoma and Bisegmentectomy of Liver Metastases.

Colorectal cancer is one of the main neoplasms worldwide; at the time of diagnosis about 25% of cases already have an advanced stage with the presence of metastases. A 58-year-old female presented with nausea, vomiting, and black stools and diffuse abdominal pain associated with 7% weight loss. She was referred to our hospital with signs of digestive tract bleeding and anemic syndrome. Panendoscopy revealed body and fundus gastropathy and presence of Helicobacter pylori, and colonoscopy showed a neoplastic lesion at the ascending colon level. A synchronous resection was performed in a single surgical time of colorectal cancer and liver metastases with a duration of 4 h and bleeding of 900 mL. The oral feeding started 24 h after surgery, presenting gas channeling at 24 h and evacuations at 48 h. The total intrahospital stay was 5 days. Synchronous resection of hepatic metastases in colorectal cancer is still rarely performed, despite the fact that in recent years the number of cases has increased because of better surgical techniques. Synchronous resection of colorectal cancer and liver metastases can be performed safely, without increasing transoperative mortality when performed in specialized centers with a multidisciplinary team; however, it is essential to emphasize the importance of negative surgical margins (R0) of the primary tumor and later to be complemented with adjuvant treatment with chemotherapy.

Factores de riesgo asociados al desarrollo de fístula anal / Risk factor associated to the development of anal fistula

Objetivo: Determinar los factores de riesgo asociados para el desarrollo de fístula anal posterior a absceso anal. Sede: Hospital General de México. Diseño: Estudio de casos y controles. Análisis estadístico: Análisis univariado. Pacientes y métodos: Se incluyeron 250 pacientes observados en el periodo de mayo de 2009 a enero de 2012, evaluados en consulta externa de la Unidad de Coloproctología con el diagnóstico de absceso anal y con tres meses o más de seguimiento. Las variables analizadas fueron: edad, ocupación, diabetes mellitus, tabaquismo, consumo de alcohol, antibióticos previos y posteriores al drenaje, tipo de evacuación de acuerdo a la escala de Bristol, anorrecepción, tiempo de evolución del absceso y lugar de drenaje del absceso (consultorio, quirófano o espontáneamente). Resultados: De los 250 pacientes con absceso anal tratados con un drenaje simple, 103 (41.2%) desarrollaron fístula anal. Los resultados del análisis univariado no mostraron significancia estadística para ninguna de estas variables. Conclusión: No identificamos factor de riesgo, estudiados en este trabajo, para poder determinar qué pacientes pueden desarrollar fístula anal posterior a un evento de absceso anal.

Objective: To determine the risk factors associated to the development of anal after an anal abscess. Setting: General Hospital of Mexico (third level health care center). Design: Case-controls study. Statistical analysis: Univariate analysis. Patients and methods: The study comprised 250 patients observed in the period of May 2009 to January 2012 assessed in the outpatient clinic of the Coloproctology Unit, with a diagnosis of anal abscess and three months or more of follow-up. Analyzed varaibles were: age, ocupation, diabetes mellitus, smoking, alcohol consumption, previous antibiotics and after the drainage, type of evacuation according to the Bristol scale, anal reception, time of abscess evolution, and site where drainage of the abscess was performed (outpatient clinic, surgery room, or spontaneously). Results: Of the 250 patients with an anal abscess treated with a simple drainage, 103 (41.2%) developed an anal. Results of the univariate analysis did not reveal any statistical significance for any of the studied variables. Conclusion: We did not identify any risk factor in this paper to be able to determine which patients can develop an anal after an anal abscess event.

Características clínicas asociadas al escurrimiento fecal ''soiling'' en pacientes operados de enfermedades anales / Clinical characteristics associated to fecal ''soiling'' in patients subjected to anal surgeries

Objetivo: Describir las características clínicas relacionadas con el escurrimiento fecal ''soiling'' que presentan los pacientes operados de enfermedad hemorroidal, fístula, fisura anal y drenaje de absceso. Sede: Unidad de Coloproctología del Servicio de Gastroenterología del Hospital General de México ''Dr. Eduardo Liceaga''. Diseño: Estudio de casos y controles. Análisis estadístico: Medidas de tendencia central, t de Student, cálculo de momios (odds ratio; OR) y análisis no paramétrico con χ². Pacientes y métodos: Se aplicó un cuestionario de ocho ítems a 132 pacientes que acudieron a la consulta externa de nuestra unidad. El manchado de ropa interior, eritema anal, cicatriz, prurito y utilización de material para proteger la región anal, así como el cambio de alimentación, la presencia de materia fecal en el ano y la limpieza de la región anal sin haber evacuado fueron las variables evaluadas y comparadas entre pacientes operados y no operados. Resultados: Se incluyeron 59 hombres y 73 mujeres con edad media de 45 años, 58 pacientes operados y 74 no operados. El manchado de ropa interior fue el síntoma más frecuente en los pacientes operados (37% versus 25%). Las otras variables con significancia estadística, al compararse ambos grupos, fueron: prurito, la presencia de una cicatriz y eritema anal. El OR para cirugía en pacientes con manchado de ropa fue 3.22 (95% IC 1.57-6.60), para prurito 2.24 (95% IC 1.11-4.52) y la presencia de una cicatriz anal 91.38 (95% IC 24.46-341.43). Conclusiones: El soiling caracterizado como manchado de la ropa interior se presenta en al menos un tercio de los pacientes operados de cirugía anal. La presencia de eritema, materia fecal en el ano y una cicatriz anal asociadas hacen pensar en esta alteración.

Objective: To describe the clinical characteristics related to soiling present in patients subjected to anal surgery due to hemorrhoidal disease, fistula, anal fissure, and abscess drainage. Setting: Coloproctology unit of the Gastroenterology Service of the General Hospital of Mexico ''Dr. Eduardo Liceaga''. Design: Cases and controls study. Statistical analysis: Central tendency measures, Student's t test, odds ratio (OR) and non-parametric analysis using χ². Patients and methods: We applied an eight-item questionnaire to 132 patients that came to the out-patient consultation of our unit. Soiling of underwear, anal erythema, scar, pruritus, use of material to protect the anal region, change in feeding habits, presence of fecal matter in the anus, and cleaning of the anal region without having defecated were the assessed variables and these were compared between operated and non-operated patients. Results: We included 59 men and 73 women, average age of 45 years, 58 operated and 74 non-operated. Soiling of underwear was the most frequent sign in operated patients (37% versus 25%). The other variables with statistical significance when comparing both groups were: pruritus, presence of a scar and anal erythema. The OR for surgery in patients with underwear soiling was 3.22 (95% CI 1.57-6.60); for pruritus, 2.24 (95% CI 1.11-4.52) and presence of anal scar, 91.38 (95% CI 24.46-341.43). Conclusions: Soiling of underwear was found in at least one third of patients subjected to anal surgery. The presence of erythema, fecal matter in the anus, and an anal scar should lead to consider this alteration.

Alteraciones de la función intestinal y de la continencia fecal posteriores a cirugía preservadora de esfínteres por cáncer de recto / Alterations of intestinal function and fecal continence after sphincter-preserving surgery due to rectal cancer

Objetivo: Cuantificar el grado de severidad del síndrome de resección anterior baja (SRAB) en pacientes postoperados de cirugía preservadora de esfínteres (CPE). Sede: Unidad de Coloproctología del Hospital General de México ''Dr. Eduardo Liceaga''. Diseño: Estudio descriptivo de cohorte transversal. Análisis estadístico: Porcentajes como medida de resumen para variables cualitativas. Pacientes y métodos: Se incluyeron 30 pacientes tratados con cirugía preservadora de esfínteres, de enero 2007 a diciembre del 2011. A dichos pacientes se les evaluó por medio de la escala de síndrome de resección anterior baja del Hospital Universitario de Aarhus, en Dinamarca, de cinco parámetros. Se evaluó la prevalencia del síndrome de resección anterior baja, intensidad con base en el tiempo y la distancia del tumor al margen anal. Resultados: El 60% de los pacientes se encontró con síndrome de resección anterior baja, con un seguimiento promedio de 20 meses. La incontinencia a líquidos estuvo presente en el 48%, fraccionamiento de defecación 21%, urgencia defecatoria 17%; los otros dos parámetros evaluados prácticamente no se presentaron. El grado más severo de síndrome de resección anterior baja se observó en los primeros 8 meses posteriores a la cirugía y sólo un paciente, después de 24 meses de operado, continuó con sintomatología severa. Los pacientes con tumores entre 7 y 10 cm del margen del ano no desarrollaron las alteraciones evaluadas o éstas fueron leves. Todos los pacientes con un tumor menor de 7 cm desarrollaron alteraciones severas. Conclusión: Las alteraciones más frecuentemente encontradas fueron la incontinencia fecal a líquidos, fraccionamiento de la defecación y urgencia defecatoria. Las alteraciones valoradas mediante la escala de síndrome de resección anterior baja fueron severas en los primeros meses posteriores a la cirugía y cuando el tumor se encontraba más cerca del margen anal.

Objective: To assess the degree of severity of the low anterior resection syndrome (LARS) in patients after sphincter preserving surgery (SPS). Setting: Coloproctology unit of the General Hospital of Mexico ''Dr. Eduardo Liceaga'' (Third level health care hospital). Design: Cross-sectional cohort descriptive study. Statistical analysis: Percentages as summary measure for qualitative variables. Patients and methods: The study included 20 patients subjected to sphincter preserving surgery, from January 2007 to December 2011. These patients were evaluated according to the five-parameter LARS scale of the Aarhus University Hospital, in Denmark. We assessed prevalence of low anterior resection syndrome, intensity based on time and distance of the tumor from the anal margin. Results: Of the patients, 60% coursed with the low anterior resection syndrome with an average follow-up of 20 months. Incontinence to liquids was present in 48%, fragmented defecation in 21%, urgency to defecate in 17%; the other two assessed parameters were practically inexistent. The most severe degree of low anterior resection syndrome was seen in the first 8 months after surgery and only one patient, after 24 months of the surgery, continued with severe symptoms. Patients with tumors between 7 and 10 cm from the anal margin did not develop the assessed alterations or they were very mild. All patients with a tumor at less than 7 cm developed severe alterations. Conclusion: The most frequently found alterations were fecal incontinence to liquids, fragmented defecation, and urgency to defecate. The alterations assessed by the LARS scale were severe during the first months after surgery and when the tumor was closer to the anal margin.

Características clinicopatológicas de pacientes con tumores retrorrectales en el Hospital General de México / Clinicopathological characteristics of patients with retrorectal tumors at the General Hospital of Mexico

Objetivo: Identificar la prevalencia de tumores retrorrectales y describir sus características clinicopatológicas. Sede: Hospital General de México ''Eduardo Liceaga''. Diseño: Estudio retrospectivo, observacional, descriptivo y transversal. Análisis estadístico: Porcentajes como medida de resumen para variables cualitativas. Pacientes y métodos: Revisión de expedientes clínicos para identificar a los pacientes con diagnóstico de tumor retrorrectal desde al año 2000 al 2012. Las variables a evaluar fueron: edad, sexo, síntomas, tratamiento, reporte histopatológico final y prevalencia de la enfermedad. Resultados: De un total de 28,452 consultas de primera vez, de enero de 2000 a diciembre de 2012 se identificaron 6 pacientes con tumores retrorrectales, cuatro de ellos fueron hombres (66.6%); la edad promedio fue de 57.8 años (46-69). Los principales síntomas fueron: estreñimiento en seis (100%), tenesmo en cinco (83.3%), dolor anal en tres (50%), dolor lumbar en tres (50%), rectorragia en dos (33.3%) y pérdida de peso en dos (33.3%). La duración promedio de los síntomas fue de 21.8 meses. Todos los pacientes fueron operados; tres por abordaje abdominal (50%) y tres por abordaje posterior (50%); el sangrado transoperatorio, los días de estancia hospitalaria y las complicaciones fueron mayores en el grupo de abordaje abdominal. El tumor más frecuente fue el cordoma en cuatro pacientes (66.6%) seguido de sarcoma pleomórfico en un paciente y tumor del estroma gastrointestinal en un paciente. El seguimiento fue de 4.6 meses (4 a 6). Conclusiones: Los tumores retrorrectales son una enfermedad con baja prevalencia y características clínicas heterogéneas por los tipos de tumores que se pueden localizar en esta región. El tumor maligno más frecuente fue el cordoma.

Objective: To identify the prevalence of retrorectal tumors and to describe their clinicopathological characteristics. Setting: General Hospital of Mexico ''Eduardo Liceaga'' (third level health care center). Design: Retrospective, observational descriptive, cross-sectional study. Statistical analysis: Percentages as summary measure for qualitative variables. Patients and methods: Review of clinical files to identify those patients with a diagnosis of retrorectal tumor in the period from 2000 to 2012. Analyzed variables were: age, sex, symptoms, treatment, final histopathological report, and prevalence of the disease. Results: From a total of 28,452 first-time consultations from January 2000 to December 2012, six patients were identified with retrorectal tumors, four of them were men (66-6%); average age was of 57.8 years (46-69). The main symptoms were constipation in six (110%), tenesmus in five (83.3%), anal pain in three (50%), lumbar pain in three (50%), rectorrhagia in two (33.3%), and weight loss in two (33.3%). Average length of symptoms was of 21.8 months. All patients were operated; three through an abdominal approach (50%) and three through a posterior approach (50%), transoperative bleeding, longer in-hospital stay and minor complications were encountered in the abdominal approach group. The most frequent tumor was the chordoma in four patients (66.6%) followed by a pleomorphic sarcoma in one patient, and a tumor of the gastrointestinal stroma in one patient. Follow-up was of 4.6 months (4 to 6). Conclusions: Retrorectal tumors have a low prevalence presenting with heterogeneous clinical characteristics due to the type of tumors that can occur in this region. The most frequent malignant tumor was the chordoma.

Tratamiento de la fístula anal mediante ligadura del trayecto fistuloso en el espacio interesfintérico con poliglactina 2-0: Estudio piloto / Treatment of anal fistula by ligation of intersphincteric fistula tract with 2-0 polyglactin: Pilot study

Objetivo: Determinar el porcentaje de curación y de continencia fecal (CF) con la ligadura interesfintérica del trayecto fistuloso (LIFT, por sus siglas en inglés: ligation of intersphinteric fistula tract) con poliglactina 2-0. Diseño: Estudio piloto, experimental, descriptivo y no comparativo. Sede: Unidad de Coloproctología del Hospital General de México (UCHGM). Análisis estadístico: Los resultados se presentan en tablas de frecuencia y porcentaje de acuerdo con cada variable estudiada. Material y métodos: De forma no probabilística y por conveniencia, se eligieron 14 pacientes con fístula anal (FA) compleja para tratamiento con la técnica de LIFT con poliglactina 2-0. Sólo a 10 pacientes se les pudo realizar LIFT. Se les dio seguimiento postoperatorio por 3 meses. Resultados: Sólo a 10 pacientes se les pudo realizar LIFT (71%), de los cuales el 50%, a los 3 meses, no presentó orificio fistuloso secundario (OFS) ni exudado; el 80% no tuvo dolor después de la cirugía y el 100% se integró a sus actividades laborales a las 2 semanas. Después de 3 meses, 5 pacientes continuaron con FA. De los 10 pacientes a los que se les realizó LIFT ninguno presentó incontinencia fecal (IF). Conclusión: La LIFT con poliglactina 2-0 es un procedimiento seguro, se logró realizar en el 71% de los candidatos seleccionados y con buena efectividad para la curación del 50%.

Objective: To determine the percentage of healing and fecal continence (FC) with the technique of ligation of intersphinteric fistula tract (LIFT) with 2-0 polyglactin. Design: Experimental, descriptive non-comparative pilot study. Setting: Coloproctology Unit of the General Hospital of Mexico. Statistical analysis: Results are presented in frequency and percentage tables according to each studied variable. Patients and methods: We chose randomly and by convenience 14 patients with complex anal fistula (AF) to be treated with the LIFT technique with 2-0 polyglactin. LIFT could only be performed in 10 patients. They were followed for 3 months after surgery. Results: LIFT could only be performed in 10 (71%) of the patients; of these, 50% did not present secondary fistulous orifice nor exudates; 80% had no pain after surgery, and 100% returned to their working activities after 2 weeks. After 3 months, five patients continued with AF. Of the 10 patients subjected to LIFT, none presented fecal incontinence. Conclusion: LIFT with 2-0 polyglactin is a safe procedure; it was possible to performe the procedure in 71% of the chosen candidates, with a good healing efficacy in 50% of the patients.

Quality of life in ostomized patients.

BACKGROUND: Ostomized patients usually have some concerns such as absence of sphincter control, noisy bowel movements, changes in passage of gas, social discomfort due to odors, concerns about bag filling, peristomal and skin irritation as well as psychological changes such as body image distortion, among others, that will determine quality of life. We undertook this study to measure quality of life in ostomized patients attending the Coloproctology Unit in Hospital General de México. METHODS: We carried out a cross-sectional descriptive study from January 1, 2009 to May 29, 2009 in ostomized patients. Two scales were used to determine quality of life. The first was quality of life SF-36 (version 2) with 36 items that measured eight aspects. The other scale used was the Montreux scale. RESULTS: For the Montreux scale, quality of life section, a range between 60.8 and 81.2 points was obtained. The results obtained with the quality of life scale SF36 were as follows: physical function, 67.04; physical role, 56.06; physical pain, 68.28; general health, 57.16; with an overall average of 62.14 points. For mental aspects, results were as follows: vitality, 68.37; social function, 71.53; emotional role, 71.48; and mental health, 68.67; with an overall average of 70.01 points. CONCLUSIONS: Quality of life of subjects included was classified as good. Fear of stoma leaks and sexual function were the aspects that most affected the patients, and those are responsible for a decrease in quality of life in this study.

[Incidence, diagnosis and treatment of colovesical fistula]. / Incidencia, diagnóstico y tratamiento de la fístula colovesical.

BACKGROUND: Enterovesical fistula, also known as vesicoenteric fistula, is an abnormal communication of the vesical bladder with a segment of the digestive tract. We undertook this study to describe diagnostic and therapeutic methods to treat colovesical fistula (CVF) in patients who attended the Coloproctology Unit of the Gastroenterology Service of the General Hospital in Mexico City. METHODS: This is a descriptive study in CVF patients carried out from January 2001 to June 2006; descriptive statistics were used for analysis of information. RESULTS: Eleven patients were identified (10 males and 1 female). Average age was 54.72 years (range: 39-73 years). Time from onset of symptoms to diagnosis was on average 11.9 months. The most frequent signs and symptoms were fecaluria, pneumaturia, dysuria, hematuria and chronic abdominal pain in hypogastric and left iliac regions. Nine patients were submitted to sigmoidectomy and primary colorectal anastomosis. Hartmann procedure was carried out in one patient with restoration of intestinal transit 6 weeks later. In one patient, a loop colostomy was built as a first operation, with sigmoidectomy with fistula resection as a second operation, and restoration of intestinal transit as the third. CONCLUSIONS: Surgery is the only treatment that assures cure and avoids relapses. Sigmoidectomy and primary anastomosis must be considered as the treatment of choice. Mortality, although low, continues being a negative factor when surgery is indicated in these patients.

[Complex anal fistula treated with cutting seton]. / Setón de corte en el tratamiento de la fístula anal compleja.

BACKGROUND: Anorectal sepsis is a frequent condition presenting in the office of colorectal specialists. The acute phase presents as an abscess and the chronic phase as a fistula. We undertook this study to report the experience of the Coloproctology Unit of the General Hospital of Mexico in the management of complex anal fistula with cutting seton. METHODS: From May 1999 to April 2004, 11,731 clinical cases were reviewed. Inclusion criteria were patients with complex anal fistula treated using the cutting seton technique and 6 months minimum follow-up after withdrawal of seton. RESULTS: There were 742 fistulous patients among which 50 fulfilled inclusion criteria. There were 44 males and 6 females. Fistulas were classified as high transsphincteric in 41 patients, suprasphincteric in 8 patients, and high intersphincteric in one patient. On average, patients were followed-up during 9.67 postoperative examinations and on average there were 4.55 adjustments. The average permanence of seton was 7.02 months. CONCLUSIONS: Management of complex anal fistula continues to be a challenge for surgeons. Cutting seton is an appropriate surgical option for patients with no alteration of continence and is useful for patients with high transsphincteric, suprasphincteric and, in some cases, extrasphincteric fistula. In women with low anterior transsphincteric fistula, this option must be considered as an alternative.

[Results and analysis of Ferguson-type hemorrhoidectomy]. / Resultados y análisis de la hemorroidectomía tipo Ferguson.

BACKGROUND: We undertook this study to demonstrate the experience with Ferguson hemorrhoidectomy in the Coloproctology Unit in the Gastroenterology Service of the General Hospital in Mexico City. METHODS: A prospective, descriptive and observational study was designed and included patients with hemorrhoidal disease submitted to hemorrhoidectomy with Ferguson technique, from May 1999 to April 2004. Preoperative data included in the patient's chart was as follows: sex, age, time of evolution of symptoms, classification of hemorrhoids, associated disease, operative duration, immediate and late surgical complications and their management and healing duration. RESULTS: Five hundred eighty six patients fulfilled the inclusion criteria; 342 were male (58.36%) and 244 (41.69%) female. Average age was 43 years (range: 20-78 years). Occupation was not reported. Classification of hemorrhoids was 46 (7.85%), grade II; 396 (67.57%), grade III; 82 (13.99%), grade IV; and 62 (10.59%), massive hemorrhoid thrombosis. CONCLUSIONS: Results of this series conclude that perioperative morbidity is lower than reported in other series and that hemorrhoidectomy with Ferguson technique continues as the gold standard for treatment of this disease.

[Hidradenitis suppurativa]. / Hidradenitis suppurativa.

BACKGROUND: Hidradenitis suppurativa is an inflammatory, chronic and recurrent disease of appocrine glands, located in inguinal, axillar, perineal, perianal areas and scalp. OBJECTIVE: To determine the frequency and therapeutic management. METHODS: A retrospective, transverse, and descriptive study was carried out. All patients with hidradenitis suppurativa, and who were managed by the Coloproctology Unit from the Gastroenterology Service of the General Hospital of Mexico City from January 1995 to December 2004, were included. RESULTS: We reviewed 12,689 files and identified 15 patients (0.12%) with hidradenitis suppurativa; nine fulfilled inclusion criteria. CONCLUSIONS: This is a complex disease with a diagnostic and therapeutic challenge.

Hidradenitis suppurativa / Hidradenitis suppurativa

Introducción: la hidradenitis supurativa es una enfermedad inflamatoria, crónica, recurrente, originada en las glándulas apocrinas; se puede localizar en axila, ingle, periné, región anoperineal y cuero cabelludo. Objetivo: conocer la frecuencia y el manejo terapéutico. Material y métodos: se trató de un estudio retrospectivo, transversal y descriptivo, Se incluyeron los pacientes portadores de hidradenitis supurativa atendidos en la Unidad de Coloproctología del Servicio de Gastroenterología, Hospital General de México, de enero de 1995 a diciembre de 2004. Resultados: se revisaron 12,689 expedientes clínicos y se identificaron 15 pacientes (0.12 %), de los cuales nueve cumplieron los criterios de inclusión. Conclusiones: la hidradenitis supurativa es una enfermedad compleja que constituye un reto diagnóstico y terapéutico.

BACKGROUND: Hidradenitis suppurativa is an inflammatory, chronic and recurrent disease of appocrine glands, located in inguinal, axillar, perineal, perianal areas and scalp. OBJECTIVE: To determine the frequency and therapeutic management. METHODS: A retrospective, transverse, and descriptive study was carried out. All patients with hidradenitis suppurativa, and who were managed by the Coloproctology Unit from the Gastroenterology Service of the General Hospital of Mexico City from January 1995 to December 2004, were included. RESULTS: We reviewed 12,689 files and identified 15 patients (0.12%) with hidradenitis suppurativa; nine fulfilled inclusion criteria. CONCLUSIONS: This is a complex disease with a diagnostic and therapeutic challenge.