Ligation anopexy versus hemorrhoidectomy in the treatment of second- and third-degree hemorrhoids.

BACKGROUND: The aim of the study was to compare ligation anopexy (LA) and conventional hemorrhoidectomy (CH) in treatment of second- and third-degree hemorrhoids. METHODS: A prospective controlled randomized clinical trial included 100 patients who underwent CH (CH group) and 100 patients who underwent LA (LA group). A detailed history was taken from all the patients. The effectiveness, safety, postoperative complications, operative time, length of hospital stay, time until first bowel movement, time until return to work, and postoperative pain score were assessed. RESULTS: There was no significant difference between groups regarding age, sex, and preoperative symptoms. The LA group had significantly shorter operative times, earlier first bowel movement, and an earlier return to work/activities. The postoperative pain score in the LA group was significantly lower than that in the CH group on days 1, 3, 7, and 14 after surgery. There was no significant difference between groups as regards postoperative complications. CONCLUSIONS: LA is safe, and as effective as CH in the treatment of grade II and grade III hemorrhoids, with shorter operative times, earlier mobilization, and lower postoperative pain scores.

Endogenous morphine levels after laparoscopic versus open colectomy.

BACKGROUND: Endogenous morphine may be a component of the acute-phase response to surgical trauma that affects both hospital stay and gastrointestinal motility. The purpose of this study was to assess the responses of endogenous morphine, stress hormones and cytokines following laparoscopic and open colectomy. METHODS: Twenty patients who underwent a laparoscopic colectomy were compared with ten who had an open procedure. Data collected included operative blood loss, operating time and time to pass flatus. Plasma endogenous morphine was measured before and immediately after operation, and 3, 24 and 48 h later. RESULTS: Age was comparable in the two groups. Operating time (mean 92.2 versus 61.3 min), time to tolerance of solid food (56.8 versus 103.6 h) and hospital stay (median 4 versus 6 days) were all significantly longer in the open group. Endogenous morphine levels rose immediately after open colectomy only and were higher than those after laparoscopic colectomy (8.69 versus 1.97 ng/ml; P < 0.001). Levels remained significantly higher than [corrected] in the laparoscopic group at 3 h (10.36 versus 0.52 ng/ml; P < 0.001) and 24 h, but were similar in both groups after 48 h. CONCLUSION: There is a greater degree of morphine synthesis after open than laparoscopic colectomy.

The urethral Kock pouch: long-term functional and oncological results in men.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate our experience with men who underwent radical cystectomy and urethral Kock pouch construction between January 1986 and January 1996. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Complications were classified as early (within the first 3 months after surgery) or late. Continence was assessed by interviewing the patient; they were considered continent if they were completely dry with no need of protection by pads, condom catheter or medication. The patients were followed oncologically and Kaplan-Meier survival curves constructed. Urodynamic studies were used to define the possible causes of enuresis. RESULTS: Three patients died after surgery from pulmonary embolism. There were 67 early complications in 63 patients. The mean (SD) follow-up was 87.8 (49.1) months. There were 111 treatment failures from cancer; of these, four men only had an isolated local recurrence in the urethra. Late complications included 72 pouch stones in 55 patients, and 36 deteriorated renal units caused by reflux (17), uretero-ileal stricture (11), nipple valve eversion (four) or stenosis (four). Interestingly, 65 renal units that were dilated before surgery improved significantly afterward. Ileo-urethral strictures occurred in seven men and anterior urethral strictures in six. Nine patients were totally incontinent and two had chronic urinary retention. Daytime continence was complete in 94% of men, with nocturnal enuresis in 55; the latter had significantly more residual urine, and a higher amplitude and duration of phasic contractions. CONCLUSIONS: Orthotopic bladder substitution after cystectomy for cancer is feasible, with good functional and oncological outcomes in properly selected patients. Nevertheless, the use of a hemi-Kock pouch is associated with many valve-related complications.

Clinically based management of rectal prolapse.

BACKGROUND: Laparoscopic repair of rectal prolapse offers the potential of lower recurrence rates for transabdominal repair coupled with the advantages of minimally invasive colorectal surgery. There have been no direct comparisons of the laparoscopic Wells procedure (LWP) and laparoscopic resection with rectopexy (LRR). This study is the first to make a direct comparison of outcomes from laparoscopic LRR and LWP repairs using a selected, symptom-based choice of operative procedure. METHODS: Consecutive patients presenting with complete rectal prolapse were evaluated by clinical history of the degree of constipation, diarrhea, or incontinence. Patients with a history of constipation or normal bowel habits with normal continence underwent LRR, whereas those with diarrhea or anal incontinence underwent LWP. The collected data included age, gender, operative time, length of hospital stay (LOS), operative blood loss, complications, and postoperative symptoms of constipation or diarrhea. Continence was scored using the Cleveland Clinic scoring system. RESULTS: Of the 24 patients, 11 underwent LRR and 13 had LWP. The patients in both groups were predominantly, female (LRR, 9/1; LWP, 10/2). The LRR patients were significantly younger (48.6 vs 63.9 years p <0.001). Both operative time and LOS were significantly longer in the RR group (operative time, 128.5 +/- 80.6 min vs 69.9 +/- 13.4 min; LOS, 3.6 +/- 3.1 days vs 2.2 +/- 1.03 days). All patients in the LRR group had constipation preoperative, and no patients were incontinent clinically. Preoperatively, 7 of the 13 patients in the LWP group had preoperative diarrhea, and 1 patient had clinical constipation. A five patients experienced clinical symptoms of fecal incontinence, manifested in different degrees. Postoperative complications occurred only in the LRR group (1 case of abdominal wall hematoma and 2 cases of prolonged ileus). During a mean follow-up period of 18.1 months, there were no recurrences; 10 of the 11 LRR patients had correction of constipation; and 4 of 5 of the incontinent LWP patients had improvement in their symptoms. Constipation developed in one LWP patient. CONCLUSIONS: Clinical assessment of preoperative bowel function and continence allows accurate selection of the appropriate laparoscopic technique for repair of rectal prolapse without the added expense of anal physiologic testing. Although LRR may be associated greater morbidity than LWP, both procedures offer good functional outcome, with short LOS and low recurrence rates.

Impact of lower pole renal anatomy on stone clearance after shock wave lithotripsy: fact or fiction?

PURPOSE: We determined whether there is a significant relationship between the spatial anatomy of the lower pole on preoperative excretory urography and stone fragment clearance after shock wave lithotripsy. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The anatomical factors affecting lower pole stone clearance after shock wave lithotripsy were evaluated retrospectively in 108 patients. Stone-free status was assessed by renal computerized tomography with or without renal ultrasound. The stone-free rate at 3 months was correlated with lower pole infundibular length and width in mm. as well as with the lower pole infundibulopelvic angle in degrees. The statistical significance of each lower pole anatomical factor as well as other stone, renal and treatment factors were correlated with the stone-free rate using the Mann-Whitney and chi-square tests. RESULTS: Three months after shock wave lithotripsy 79 patients (73.1%) were free of stones. Mean lower infundibular length plus or minus standard deviation was 20.9 +/- 6.56 mm., mean infundibular width was 5.65 +/- 2.34 mm. and the mean lower pole infundibulopelvic angle was 48.33 +/- 14.84 degrees. In 49 (45.4%) and 59 (54.6%) patients infundibular length was greater than 3 cm. and 3 cm. or less, respectively. Infundibular width was greater than 5 mm. and 5 mm. or less in 45 (41.7%) and 63 (58.3%) patients, respectively. No obtuse infundibulopelvic angles were noted. None of the 3 lower pole anatomical factors had any significant impact on the stone-free rate at 3 months. Renal morphology was the only factor significantly affecting the stone-free rate since stone clearance was significantly less in pyelonephritic kidneys (p = 0.0009). CONCLUSIONS: Differences in the intrarenal anatomy of the lower pole have no significant impact on stone clearance after shock wave lithotripsy. Further examination of the lower pole renal anatomy with a search for other contributing factors is still warranted.

Extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy in children: experience using two second-generation lithotripters.

OBJECTIVES: To assess the value of extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy (ESWL) in treating paediatric urolithiasis, and to determine factors that may affect the results. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Using two types of lithotripters (MFL 5000, Dornier MedTech GmbH, Germany, and the Echolith, Toshiba Medical Systems, Japan), 148 children and adolescents (mean age 11.2 years, SD 4.7, range 1-18) were treated for urinary stones. Of these, 137 patients had renal stones and 11 had ureteric stones. The respective mean (SD) stone width and length were 10.2 (4.1) and 12.9 (5.6) mm for renal stones and 7.6 (2.7) and 9.1 (2.7) mm for ureteric stones. The patients were assessed 3 months after treatment and the results compared using the chi-square test to detect factors that might be associated with the stone-free rate. RESULTS: For those with renal stones, the overall stone-free rate was 86% and the re-treatment rate 64%. The only significant factor associated with the stone-free rate was the transverse diameter of the stone (P = 0.012); there was no significant effect of the type of lithotripter but there was a significant difference in re-treatment rate (P = 0.016) in favour of the MFL 5000. All those with ureteric stones were rendered stone-free and only four required re-treatment. Only one child among those with renal stones developed steinstrasse; this was managed by ureteroscopy and otherwise no other complications were recorded in either group. CONCLUSIONS: ESWL is a safe and effective treatment for paediatric urolithiasis. The stone-free rate is influenced significantly by stone size. The re-treatment rate differed significantly between the electrohydraulic and piezoelectric lithotripters, but the stone-free rate did not.

A prospective randomized study comparing absorbable and nonabsorbable staples in constructing antireflux valves of urethral hemi-Kock pouches.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the long-term complications associated with constructing an antireflux nipple valve using absorbable or nonabsorbable staples in the urethral hemi-Kock pouch. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Fifty patients (all men, median age 47 years, range 28-73) undergoing construction of a urethral hemi-Kock pouch were randomized prospectively into two equal groups. In group 1, absorbable (polyglyconate) staples were used for the construction, and in group 2 nonabsorbable (metal) staples were used but omitting the staples applied at the tip of nipple valve. Assessment during the follow-up of 6-88 months comprised urine analysis, culture and sensitivity, measurement of serum creatinine, electrolytes and blood gases, and plain abdominal radiography, intravenous urography and micturating pouchography. RESULTS: In group 1, 21 patients were evaluable; a pouch stone was detected in one, extussusception of the valve in one and valve stenosis in one. In group 2, 20 patients were evaluable; pouch stones were detected in six, extussusception of the valve in three and valve stenosis in one. CONCLUSION: Compared with nonabsorbable (metal) staples, the use of absorbable (polyglyconate) staples significantly decreased the incidence of pouch stone formation and improved valve stability in patients with a urethral hemi-Kock pouch.