Impact of Preoperative Three-Dimensional Endoanal Ultrasound on the Surgical Outcome of Primary Fistula in Ano. A Multi-Center Observational Study of 253 Patients.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the impact of preoperative three-dimensional endoanal ultrasound (3D-EAUS) on the clinical outcome of anal fistula surgery. METHODS: The research consisted of multi-center retrospective case-control study including 253 consecutive adult patients undergoing surgery for confirmed or suspected primary fistula in ano who had undergone preoperative 3D-EAUS evaluation between January 2011 and January 2021. Main outcome measures were the concordance (K value) between ultrasound results and surgery in the identification of fistulas internal openings, primary tracts and secondary extensions and the 6 and 12 months success rate in patients with concordant and discordant findings. RESULTS: A good agreement in the identification of the main fistulas characteristics between ultrasound results and operative findings was found. A significant difference (P < .0001; Fisher's exact test) in the success rate was found between patients with concordant and discordant ultrasound results and operative findings in identification or location of internal opening. Particularly, all the 11 (4.8%) patients with discordant results experimented a failure of the surgical procedure at 6 months follow-up. At re-operation, the shift from discordant to concordant results was associated with an 81.8% 12 months success-rate. CONCLUSION: The three-dimensional endoanal ultrasound preoperative evaluation may have a relevant impact on the outcome of a defined group of patients undergoing surgery for anal fistula, since the careful evaluation of ultrasound results could simplify the internal orifice intra-operative detection and improve the success rate.

The Relevance of the Excessive Perineal Descent in the Obstructed Defecation Syndrome: A Prospective Study of 141 Patients.

BACKGROUND: Despite the widely accepted association between excessive straining and perineal descent, the clinical significance of perineal descent in patients with obstructed defecation syndrome is still unclear. OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to evaluate the prevalence of pathological perineal descent in patients with obstructed defecation syndrome and the impact of perineal descent on symptoms severity. DESIGN: This was a prospective multicenter uncontrolled study. SETTINGS: The study involved 3 hospital pelvic-care centers and was conducted from January 2018 to January 2022. PATIENTS: The study included 141 consecutive adult patients with an obstructed defecation syndrome score of 9 or more and no evidence of organic GI pathology. All the patients underwent dynamic pelvic MRI and, in case of suspected paradoxical puborectalis contraction, anal manometry. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Main outcome measures were the prevalence of excessive perineal descent and the correlation between perineal descent and obstructed defecation syndrome score. RESULTS: One hundred twenty-eight patients (90.7%) completed magnetic resonance examination and were included in the analysis. Of these, 18 patients (14.1%) had a physiological perineal descent and 110 (85.9%) had an excessive perineal descent. Excessive perineal descent was found in 46.1% of patients (12/26) with MRI signs of paradoxical puborectalis contraction and in 96% of patients (98/102) with normal puborectalis relaxation. In this latter group of patients, a good correlation between obstructed defecation syndrome score and maximum perineal descent during straining was found (Spearman r test: 0.68; p < 0.0001). LIMITATIONS: The study was limited by the small sample size and by the strong selection of the study population. CONCLUSIONS: Excessive perineal descent is a common finding in patients with obstructed defecation syndrome and high symptoms score, occurring almost consistently in patients without paradoxical puborectalis contraction. In these patients, the maximum perineal descent seems to be well correlated with symptoms severity. See Video Abstract at http://links.lww.com/DCR/C135 . LA RELEVANCIA DEL DESCENSO PERINEAL EXCESIVO EN EL SNDROME DE DEFECACIN OBSTRUIDA UN ESTUDIO PROSPECTIVO DE PACIENTES: ANTECEDENTES:A pesar de la asociación ampliamente aceptada entre el esfuerzo excesivo y el descenso perineal, la importancia clínica del descenso perineal en pacientes con síndrome de defecación obstruida aún no está clara.OBJETIVO:Evaluar la prevalencia del descenso perineal patológico en pacientes con síndrome de defecación obstruida y el impacto del descenso perineal en la severidad de los síntomas.DISEÑO:Este fue un estudio prospectivo multicéntrico no controladoENTORNO CLINICO:El estudio involucró a tres centros hospitalarios de atención pélvica y se llevó a cabo entre enero de 2018 y enero de 2022.PACIENTES:El estudio incluyó a 141 pacientes adultos consecutivos con puntuación del síndrome de defecación obstruida ≥ 9 y sin evidencia de patología gastrointestinal orgánica. A todas las pacientes se les realizó resonancia magnética pélvica dinámica y, en caso de sospecha de contracción puborrectal paradójica, manometría anal.PRINCIPALES MEDIDAS DE RESULTADO:Las principales medidas de resultado fueron la prevalencia del descenso perineal excesivo y la correlación entre el descenso perineal y la puntuación del síndrome de defecación obstruida.RESULTADOS:Ciento veintiocho (90,7%) pacientes completaron el examen de resonancia magnética y fueron incluidos en el análisis. De estos, 18 (14,1%) presentaron descenso perineal fisiológico y 110 (85,9%) descenso perineal excesivo. Se encontró descenso perineal excesivo en el 46,1% (12/26) de los pacientes con signos de contracción puborrectal paradójica en la resonancia magnética y en el 96% (98/102) de los pacientes con relajación puborrectal normal. En estos últimos pacientes se encontró una buena correlación entre la puntuación del síndrome de defecación obstruida y el descenso perineal máximo durante el esfuerzo (prueba r de Spearman: 0,68; p < 0,0001).LIMITACIONES:El estudio estuvo limitado por el pequeño tamaño de la muestra y por la fuerte selección de la población de estudio.CONCLUSIONES:El descenso perineal excesivo es un hallazgo común en pacientes con síndrome de defecación obstruida y alto puntaje de síntomas, ocurriendo casi constantemente en pacientes sin contracción puborrectal paradójica. En estos últimos pacientes el descenso perineal máximo parece estar bien correlacionado con la severidad de los síntomas. Consulte Video Resumen en http://links.lww.com/DCRC135 . (Traducción- Dr. Francisco M. Abarca-Rendon ).

Safety and effectiveness of minimal sphincterotomy in the treatment of female patients with chronic anal fissure.

To evaluate the outcome of a left lateral internal sphincterotomy extended for 20% of total sphincter length in female patients with chronic anal fissure, high anal resting pressure and normal preoperative anal continence. Between January 2014 and January 2018 all the female patients with chronic anal fissure showing failure of medical therapy, perfect anal continence (Cleveland Clinic Florida incontinence score = 0) and high anal resting pressure underwent a lateral internal sphincterotomy extended for 1/5 of total lateral sphincter length, basing on the preoperative measurements by three-dimensional endoanal ultrasound. Postoperative follow-up included clinical assessment at 3, 6 and 12 months associated with manometric and ultrasonographic evaluation at 6 months. Thirty-two patients, [median age 45 (range 19-68)] were included and, of these, 2 (6.2%) were lost to follow-up. At 6 month follow-up success rate was 93.3% (28/30) and continence score was 0 in all the patients. Two patients (6.2%) with poor outcome showed incomplete sphincterotomy at EAUS and underwent re-surgery. At three-dimensional endoanal ultrasound the median length of sphincterotomy was 6 mm (5-8.2). At 12 month follow-up the success rate was 100% and Cleveland Clinic Florida incontinence score remained 0 in all the cases. Open left lateral internal sphincterotomy extended for about 20% of total left lateral internal sphincter length seems to be safe and effective in the treatment of chronic anal fissure in suitable female patients achieving a high success rate without compromising anal continence.

Preoperative assessment of simple and complex anorectal fistulas: Tridimensional endoanal ultrasound? Magnetic resonance? Both?

PURPOSE: The purpose of the study is to evaluate the diagnostic value of tridimensional endoanal ultrasound (3D-EAUS) and magnetic resonance (MR) in the preoperative assessment of both simple and complex anorectal fistulas. METHODS: All the patients referred for the treatment of anal fistulas were enrolled in this study and underwent, as preoperative assessment, anamnestic evaluation, clinical examination, and unenhanced and H2O2-enhanced 3D-EAUS and MR. The results of imaging evaluation were compared with surgical findings, considered as reference standard. RESULTS: During the study period, 124 patients operated on for anal fistulas underwent complete preoperative imaging assessment. Perfect agreement between 3D-EAUS and surgery in the anal fistulas' severity grading was found (K = 1). The fistulas were classified as simple in 68/126 (53.9%) and complex in 58/126 (46.03%) cases, according to fistulas' Parks' classification and the most recent American Guidelines. In both simple and complex anal fistulas, 3D-EAUS did not show a significantly higher accuracy in the evaluation of internal openings, if compared with MR (P = 0.47; McNemar's Chi-square test). In the complex anal fistulas, MR showed a significantly higher accuracy in the evaluation of secondary extensions if compared with 3D-EAUS (P = 0.041; McNemar's Chi-square test), whereas in the simple anal fistulas, no significant difference was found. CONCLUSION: In the preoperative work-up of patients with anorectal fistulas, 3D-EAUS may represent the first-line diagnostic tool. In cases of fistulas classified as complex by 3D-EAUS, MR may be indicated as adjunctive diagnostic imaging examination, to more carefully describe the fistulas' complete anatomy.

Efficacy of Bariatric Surgery in Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus Remission: the Role of Mini Gastric Bypass/One Anastomosis Gastric Bypass and Sleeve Gastrectomy at 1 Year of Follow-up. A European survey.

BACKGROUND: A retrospective study was undertaken to define the efficacy of both mini gastric bypass or one anastomosis gastric bypass (MGB/OAGB) and sleeve gastrectomy (SG) in type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) remission in morbidly obese patients (pts). METHODS: Eight European centers were involved in this survey. T2DM was preoperatively diagnosed in 313/3252 pts (9.62%). In 175/313 patients, 55.9% underwent MGB/OAGB, while in 138/313 patients, 44.1% received SG between January 2006 and December 2014. RESULTS: Two hundred six out of 313 (63.7 %) pts reached 1 year of follow-up. The mean body mass index (BMI) for MGB/OAGB pts was 33.1 ± 6.6, and the mean BMI for SG pts was 35.9 ± 5.9 (p < 0.001). Eighty-two out of 96 (85.4%) MGB/OAGB pts vs. 67/110 (60.9%) SG pts are in remission (p < 0.001). No correlation was found in the % change vs. baseline values for hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) and fasting plasma glucose (FPG) in relation to BMI reduction, for both MGB/OAGB or SG (ΔFPG 0.7 and ΔHbA1c 0.4 for MGB/OAGB; ΔFPG 0.7 and ΔHbA1c 0.1 for SG). At multivariate analysis, high baseline HbA1c [odds ratio (OR) = 0.623, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.419-0.925, p = 0.01], preoperative consumption of insulin or oral antidiabetic agents (OR = 0.256, 95% CI 0.137-0.478, p = <0.001), and T2DM duration >10 years (OR = 0.752, 95% CI 0.512-0.976, p = 0.01) were negative predictors whereas MGB/OAGB resulted as a positive predictor (OR = 3.888, 95% CI 1.654-9.143, p = 0.002) of diabetes remission. CONCLUSIONS: A significant BMI decrease and T2DM remission unrelated from weight loss were recorded for both procedures if compared to baseline values. At univariate and multivariate analyses, MGB/OAGB seems to outperform significantly SG. Four independent variables able to influence T2DM remission at 12 months have been identified.

A very rare case of duodenal hemolymphangioma presenting with iron deficiency anemia.

INTRODUCTION: Intraabdominal lymphangiomas account for less than 5% of all lymphangiomas and small intestinal hemolymphangioma is a very rare benign tumor. PRESENTATION OF CASE: Here we describe the first case of primary ulcerated duodenal hemolymphangioma in a 24-year-old woman, causing occult bleeding from gastrointestinal tract. She presented with an unexplained refractory iron-deficiency anemia and gastroduodenoscopy revealed an ulcerated and polypoid lesion of the second portion of the duodenum. Partial resection of the duodenum was thus performed and the final pathological diagnosis was hemolymphangioma. DISCUSSION: There were only two reports, one of a hemolymphangioma of the pancreas invading to the duodenum and another of a small intestinal hemolymphangioma, presenting with gastrointestinal bleeding until May 2012. CONCLUSION: The aim of this case report is to highlight the difficulty in making an accurate preoperative diagnosis and describe the surgical management of an unusual location for a very rare tumor. To arrive at a definitive diagnosis and exclude malignancy, partial resection of the duodenum was considered to be the required treatment.

Penetrating cardiac injuries. Two case reports.

INTRODUCTION: Penetrating cardiac injuries is still a diagnostic problem at this time. Their management requires immediate surgical intervention and excellent surgical critical care postoperatively. PRESENTATION OF CASES: A 15-year old male patient was stabbed with a knife to the right chest. The chest radiograph showed an haemothorax and the angiography showed an intercostals artery and a right auricle injury. After an emergency operation the patient was released home in good condition after the toracotomy had healed. A 19-year old male patient was stabbed with a knife to the chest more than once. By a left toracotomy we sutured the lesion of the left ventricle with multiple single stitch in non-absorbable suture, we covered the suture with a sealant. The patient released home in 24 days. DISCUSSION: Penetrating cardiac injuries is one of the leading cause of death from urban violence. To evaluate a thoracic trauma with cardiac injury it's clear the use of thorax X-ray and multislice angio-Tc scan. Echocardiography has clearly emerged for the diagnosis in patients haemodynamically stable. When the patient is haemodynamically unstable the emergency thoracotomy is mandatory. CONCLUSION: Despite the high mortality of penetrating cardiac injuries new surgical and radiological tecniques may help surgeon to save this patients.

Transperitoneal laparoscopic adrenalectomy. Our experience.

AIM: Laparoscopic adrenalectomy is considered the standard technique for the surgical removal of the adrenal gland. This report is about a 4-year single experience in our Endocrine and General Surgery Unit with laparoscopic adrenalectomy. METHODS: A total of 24 lateral transperitoneal laparoscopic adrenalectomies were performed. The indications for laparoscopic surgery were: aldosteronoma in 3 patients, pheochromocytoma in 6 patients, nonfunctioning adenoma in 6 patients, adenoma causing Cushing's syndrome in 3 patients, 1 lymphangioma-like adenomatoid tumor, 1 myelolipoma, 1 complicated adrenal cyst, 2 adrenocortical carcinomas, 1 lung metastasis. RESULTS: All except two had successful laparoscopic adrenalectomy. Complication occurred in one patient. 3 patients underwent other associated laparoscopic procedures. Operative time ranged from 100 to 240 minutes for laparoscopic adrenalectomy, from 180 to 210 minutes in the cases with two associated laparoscopic procedures, 5 hours for bilateral adrenalectomy; the postoperative hospital stay for laparoscopic adrenalectomy ranged from 4 to 8 days (6,79 days) and from 7 to 13 days (9,12 days) for patients undergoing the open or converted procedure. CONCLUSIONS: Laparoscopic adrenalectomy is technically feasible and reproducible. We evaluate the effectiveness of laparoscopic adrenalectomy for a variety of endocrine disorders except in the case of invasive carcinoma or large masses. Antonio Cardarelli Endocrine and General Surgery Unit in Naples is known as a specialized center for thyroid and parathyroid surgery; in future, we could also become a high-volume laparoscopic referral center for adrenal gland pathologies.

[Intestinal reconstruction after dehiscence of a jejunal suture in a patient submitted to aorto-enteric fistula repair: a case report]. / Ricostruzione intestinale dopo deiscenza di sutura digiunale in paziente sottoposto a riparazione di fistola aorto-enterica: case report.

Aorto-enteric fistulas are serious complications of aortic surgery that require swift, effective surgical intervention. We report a case of a secondary aortoenteric fistula treated with prosthesis replacement and an intestinal suture subsequently complicated by the dehiscence of the previously constructed anastomosis. We opted for reconstruction re-intervention, closing the intestinal lesion by means of a mechanical suture above the jejunal dehiscence, making a side-to-end jejuno-jejunal Roux anastomosis and an end-to-side anastomosis at the base of the loop. The operation was completed by performing a gastrostomy and transforming the fistula into a jejunostomy. This intervention enabled us to discharge the patient in good general condition after 30 days.

Clinical symptoms of intestinal vascular disorders.

Despite advances made in the diagnostic and therapeutic field, acute intestinal ischemia remains a highly lethal condition. This is related to the variability of symptoms and the absence of typical laboratory alterations in early stage.

[Our experience in the management of patients with Mirizzi syndrome]. / Orlentamenti attuali nel trattamento della sindrome di Mirizzi. Nostra esperienza.

The authors report their experience in the management of patients with Mirizzi Syndrome (MS) admitted, over a period of 15 years, at the General Surgery of Emergency Department of Cardarelli Hospital, Naples, Italy. All patients were admitted and surgically treated in emergency save for one. Out of 12 patients, cholecystectomy was performed in 7 cases. In others 5 patients, with cholecystocholedochal fistula, cholecystectomy with positionig of T-Tube was performed in 4 cases (MS-II); finally, 1 patient with MS type III undewrwent choledochojejunostomy. According to literature, the diagnostic protocol included abdominal ultrasonography and CT scan of the abdomen for all patients; in one case, a cholangio-MRI was performed to clarify the diagnosis. The preoperative diagnosis is essential to reduce risk of iatrogenic injuries. The cholangio-MRI, used to this extent, clarifies the site of obstruction, shows the anatomy of the biliary tree and allows to make all the possible differential diagnoses in order to exclude the presence of biliary tumors before surgery. The intraoperative cholangiography remains mandatory to clarify the anatomy of the biliary tree. In the cases we have treated, ERCP was never performed. We believe that ERCP has limited indications and unsatisfactory outcomes for both diagnosis and treatment of MS. Pathological examination of the fresh-frozen surgical specimens was always performed intraoperatively to exclude the presence of concomitant cancer of the gallbladder. The traditional treatment of patients with MS is surgery, as confirmed by our experience. We perform cholecystectomy for MS type I and cholecystectomy with direct repair of the biliary fistula over aT tube for MS type II. Patients with MS type III usually undergo a tailored operation based on the intraoperative findings, while choledochojejunostomy is mandatory for patients with MS type IV. Laparoscopic surgery is indicated only for MS type I and II. It seems to carry a higher risk for the patient and we do not use this approach in the emergency settings.

[Mainly abdominal "complex" polytrauma. Considerations on surgical strategy and clinical case report]. / Politraumatismo "complesso" a prevalenza addominale. Considerazioni sulla strategia chirurgica e presentazione di un caso clinico.

The Authors want to present un uncommon case of polytrauma managed with surgical treatment at the Trauma Center of the A. Cardarelli Hospital in Naples. Chest, abdomen, pelvis, and left lower limb have been severely injured. This case is so interesting because of the rareness of some lesions (i.e. diaphragm rupture) and the numerous lesions of internal organs (i.e. lungs, spleen, liver, pancreas, mesenterium) and of the bones (i.e. thigh-bone and pelvis). A very good outcome has been obtained for survival as well as for functionality and quality of life since we have strictly applied the rules for the management of the "complex" polytrauma.

[Conservative treatment of the digestive fistulas: personal experience]. / Trattamento conservativo delle fistole digestive: nostra esperienza.

OBJECTIVE: The authors, thanks to experience obtained in an Unit for the treatment of digestive fistulas, discuss the possibility of a conservative treatment for the anastomotic fistulas. MATERIAL AND METHODS: From 2000 to 2003 were treated thirty-five patients with post-anastomotic gastroenteric fistulas marked according to their localization, way end output (51.5% high, 42.8% moderate and 5.7% low). The treatment is based on an aspiration system, sometimes integrated with an irrigation system. A semi-permeable barrier was created over the fistula by vacuum packing a synthetic, hydrophobic, polymer covered with a self-adherent surgical sheet. This system create a vacuum chamber equipped with a subathmospheric pressures between 262.2 and 337.5 mmHg (350-450 mmbar), integrated with a continuous irrigation using antibiotic solutions or 3% lactic acid. RESULTS: The AA. obtained the resolution in 30 patients (85.7%), 3 patients needs the surgery (8.6%), 2 died, one for sepsis and the other one for malnutrition. The mean time for the closure was 45 days (from 20 to 90). A part of digestive external fistulas goes to spontaneous resolution so comes the idea that the creation of particular condition is the basis of their closure.