Perianal basal cell carcinoma: a common cancer in an uncommon location.

This is a case of a perianal basal cell carcinoma, a common skin cancer in an unusual location. Our patient is a 67-year-old male with a perianal lesion. He first noticed this painless lesion 5 years prior to presentation and was having fecal incontinence and weight loss. He had a fully encompassing ulcerated lesion involving the entirety of the anal margin. We performed a biopsy that returned on pathology as a basal cell carcinoma. Due to the size of the lesion and his current nutritional status, it was determined to be unresectable. We were able to provide him with a diverting colostomy to address his incontinence and this allowed the patient to recover enough to undergo treatment with radiation (total of 5400 cGy). To our knowledge, this is the largest perianal basal cell carcinoma reported in the literature and an example of combining palliative surgery and radiation as a treatment option.

Results from a novel modification to the ligation intersphincteric fistula tract.

BACKGROUND: The ligation of intersphincteric fistula tract (LIFT) procedure for trans-sphincteric fistula-in-ano has been studied with variable success rates compared with initial reports. Failures occur mostly in the intersphincteric wound. Recently, we proposed a modification to LIFT, unroofing the fistula from internal opening to intersphincteric groove, ligating the fistula tract, but preserving the external sphincter. METHODS: This retrospective review assesses outcomes of patients undergoing the modified LIFT for trans-sphincteric fistulae. RESULTS: Sixty-six modified LIFT procedures were performed. The main cohort consisted of 56 patients, predominantly men (76.7%). Median operative time was 16 minutes. Median follow-up was 20.98 weeks. Overall cure rate was 71.42%, with a recurrence rate of 5.35% and fistula persistence in 16.07%. There was no persistent fecal incontinence. CONCLUSION: Modified LIFT is a safe procedure that is easily performed, has short operative time, eliminates the intersphincteric space, and has cure rates equal to or better than the original LIFT.

Prophylaxis and management of wound infections after elective colorectal surgery: a survey of the American Society of Colon and Rectal Surgeons membership.

BACKGROUND: Postoperative wound infections are a widespread and costly problem, especially in colorectal surgery. Despite their prevalence, there are few data regarding appropriate management and prevention strategies. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In order to assess current attitudes and practices about this subject, and as a guide to designing a randomized trial to gather evidence in order to support data-driven protocol development, an e-mail survey was sent to the membership of the American Society of Colorectal Surgeons to assess current attitudes and practices pertaining to prevention and management of wound infections. RESULTS: Most respondents estimated that the wound infection rate in their own patients was much lower than commonly reported in the literature. Use of evidence-based perioperative strategies for reducing wound infection, such as the use of a wound protector, hyperoxygenation, and implementation of the Surgical Care Improvement Project guidelines, were far from universal. Management strategies varied widely, without apparent rational basis. CONCLUSION: Based on the practices and beliefs in the surgical community, it is our hope that a multi-institutional study can be carried out to objectify best practices in both the effective and cost-effective management of this common condition and to reduce the wide variation in the treatment of surgical site infections.