Eight years experience of transanal endoscopic microsurgery

Introduction: Transanal Endoscopic Microsurgery (TEM) is a minimally invasive method for management of different proctologic conditions. Despite widespread use of this method, it is not used widely in Iran. This report is about to describe the application of TEM in managing different proctologic conditions in a tertiary colorectal referral center in Iran regarding methods and complications. Methods: All of the patients' documents such as procedure, method, early postop complications and further operations were actively reviewed and the data were entered in to the database. Results: Since 2012 till the end of 2020 chart review was done and 150 cases of TEM operation were found. The most frequent procedure that was done was resection procedure. Using different energy devices during surgery or suturing versus not suturing the defect were not associated with complication. There was a case of in hospital mortality and one case delayed perianal fistula following TEM. Measurement of lesion distance from anal verge was not significantly different using TEM or colonoscopy. Villous adenomas detected in colonoscopy were mostly associated with malignancy. In evaluated resected lesions most of cases had free base and distance from anal verge or using different energy devices were not associated with obtaining free base. Conclusion: TEM is a safe minimal invasive procedure with acceptable complications that could be helped in managing different proctologic conditions and the results of reviewing our patients revealed the same results that is reported from other colorectal centers. (AU)

Simple mucopexy and hemorrhoidal arterial ligation with and without Doppler guide: a randomized clinical trial for short-term outcome.

PURPOSE: Hemorrhoids are the most common benign anorectal diseases. Mucopexy strengthens the anal canal mucosa, which can be performed alone or in combination with Doppler-guided hemorrhoidal artery ligation (DG-HAL). In this study, we compared the postoperative complications between simple mucopexy plus HAL with and without a Doppler guide. METHODS: This study was performed as a single-blinded randomized clinical trial. Patients referred to a tertiary colorectal referral clinic with grades 3 and 4 hemorrhoids who were candidates for surgical intervention entered the study. Thirty-six patients were randomly divided into 2 groups. Group A including 18 patients underwent mucopexy and DG-HAL and the other 18 patients (group B) underwent standard mucopexy and HAL without a Doppler guide. Postoperative pain score and the duration of oral analgesic consumption were recorded. Additionally, postoperative symptoms and complications were recorded and compared between the 2 methods. RESULTS: There was no significant difference between the 2 groups in terms of pain score and the duration of postoperative analgesic consumption as well as the incidence of postoperative complications. Besides, the primary grade of hemorrhoids was not significantly associated with recurrence, but there was a significant association between body mass index and Wexner score (WS) with recurrence. The mean WS of patients showed a significant decrease in both groups postoperatively. However, the rate of WS reduction was not remarkably different between the 2 groups. CONCLUSION: Simple mucopexy with blind HAL (without Doppler guide) might be considered for the treatment of grades 3 and 4 hemorrhoids effectively.

Prognostic Factors of Recurrence and Survival in Operated Patients with Colorectal Cancer.

BACKGROUND: The recurrence of colorectal cancers is considered to be one of the greatest post-surgical complications that is affected by various factors. This study was designed to investigate the prognostic factors that affect the recurrence and survival of patients with colon and rectal cancers. METHODS: A retrospective study was performed on 380 patients with colorectal cancers who underwent surgery were enrolled in the study (152 patients with colon cancer and 228 patients with rectal cancer). Preoperative serum albumin level, type of surgery, tumor size, differentiation grade, proximal, distal and radial, and marginal involvement, the total number of excised lymph nodes, the number of involved lymph nodes, and tumor stage were recorded. Also, the incidences of recurrence and metastasis were recorded during the study. RESULTS: 380 patients with a mean age of 57.11 years were enrolled in the study. 152 patients with an average age of 57.57 years were diagnosed as having colon cancer. Recurrence and metastasis occurred in two patients (1.3%) and five patients (3.3%), respectively. 18 patients (11.8%) died because of colon cancer. 228 patients with a mean age of 56.81 had rectal cancer. Recurrence was seen in 19 patients (8.3%) and metastasis in 33 patients (14.5%). 38 patients (16.7%) died because of rectal cancer. Tumor size and involved lymph nodes were independent prognostic factors for the recurrence and metastases of colon cancer. Only involved lymph nodes were associated with death due to colon cancer. Independent prognostic factors for rectal cancer metastasis include serum albumin level and age. The total number of excised lymph nodes was the only predictor of tumor recurrence and death in rectal cancer. The median survival times of colon and rectal cancers were 90 and 110 months, respectively. CONCLUSION: The size of the tumor and the number of involved lymph nodes were independent prognostic factors for recurrence and metastasis of colon cancer. Also, the number of involved lymph nodes was associated with colon cancer-related deaths. In the case of rectal cancer, serum albumin levels and age predicted metastases. Only the total number of excised lymph nodes had a reverse relationship with recurrence and rectal cancer-related death.

Parastomal Hernia Following Abdominoperineal Resection / Hérnia paraestomal após ressecc¸ão abdominoperineal

ABSTRACT Parastomal Hernia (PSH) is a common complication of patient who undergone ostomy especially end colostomy. Presence of hernia defect is associated with the risk of strangulation and obstruction so understanding the potential risk factor such as patient's factor and technical issues is important. This study is evaluating the incidence of PSH hernia in patients who undergone end colostomy due to Abdominoperineal Resection (APR) in a tertiary colorectal surgery referral center and explore the possible risk factors of this complication. The study was designed as a retrospective cross sectional study on 41 patients who undergone end colostomy due to APR. Three patient lost the follow up and 13 patients died and 25 patients were enrolled in study. Demographic data, history of smoking, steroid administration, Diabetes, obstructive pulmonary disease, transfusion, Neoadjuvant therapy, wound infection and Body mass Index (BMI) were gathered. The mean age of participants was 58.8 and the mean BMI was 25.04 kg/m2. The incidence of PSH was 40% and 68% of operations were done with Laparoscopy. This study could not find statistically significant risk factor for PSH. The 40% incidence of PSH is noticeable and specific strategies should be applied to reduce such complications. Larger studies is essential to investigate the possible etiologies of this complication.

RESUMO A hérnia paraestomal é uma complicação comum em pacientes submetidos a estomia, especialmente a colostomia terminal. A presença de defeito de hérnia está associada ao risco de estrangulamento e obstrução, portanto, é importante compreender o potencial fator de risco, como o fator do paciente e questões técnicas. Este estudo avalia a incidência de hérnia paraestomal em pacientes submetidos à colostomia terminal devido à ressecção abdominoperineal em um centro terciário de referência em cirurgia colorretal e explorar os possíveis fatores de risco dessa complicação. O desenho do estudo foi transversal retrospectivo de 41 pacientes submetidos à colostomia terminal devido à ressecção abdominoperineal. Três pacientes foram perdidos no seguimento, 13 pacientes morreram, e 25 pacientes foram incluídos no estudo. Dados demográficos, história de tabagismo, administração de esteroides, diabetes, doença pulmonar obstrutiva, transfusão, terapia neoadjuvante, infecção de ferida operatória e Índice de Massa Corporal foram coletados. A média de idade dos participantes foi 58,8 e o índice de massa corporal médio foi 25,04 kg/m2. A incidência de hérnia paraestomal foi de 40% e 68% das cirurgias foram realizadas por laparoscopia. Este estudo não encontrou fator de risco estatisticamente significativo para hérnia paraestomal. A incidência de 40% de hérnia paraestomal é perceptível e estratégias específicas devem ser aplicadas para reduzir tais complicações. Estudos maiores são essenciais para investigar as possíveis etiologias dessa complicação.

Microniosomes for concurrent doxorubicin and iron oxide nanoparticles loading; preparation, characterization and cytotoxicity studies.

The current work deals with developing a suitable drug delivery system of doxorubicin (DOX) for intraperitoneal chemotherapy using niosomes through formulating non-ionic surfactants consisting of Brij™ 52, span™ 60 and Solulan™ C24. Entrapping the magnetite nanoparticles in the hydrophilic parts of niosomes was accompanied with high-efficient DOX loading by the current novel remote-loading method. Cytotoxicity of the prepared formulations was evaluated in vitro against A549 and PC-12 cell lines using the colorimetric WST-1 assay test. The obtained results revealed that, the cytotoxicity of DOX increased up to 22% especially on A549 cells by the current delivery system.

Use of endoanal ultrasound as complimentary evaluation for detection of anal sphincter injury after vaginal birth / Uso da ultrassonografia endoanal como avaliação complementar para a detecção de lesão do esfíncter anal após parto vaginal

Abstract Purpose Anal sphincter injury after delivery is the main factor in the pathogenesis of fecal incontinence. Clinical obvious and specific injury to anal canal sphincter is seen in 3% of vaginal deliveries. There are many women who do not have a clear and specific laceration but they are damaged by sphincter muscles of anal canal. The purpose of the present study is to investigate the frequency of occult anal sphincter injury after vaginal delivery by Endo-anal sonography. Methods Fifty women with first pregnancy were assessed at 27-33 weeks of pregnancy, and at 6 weeks and 6 months after vaginal delivery by questionnaire, examination and Endo-anal sonography. Women age, duration of delivery, the effect of epidural anesthesia, episiotomy and birth weight were studied and Endo-anal sonography results were recorded. Anal manometry was performed for all mothers before delivery and 5 ones with sphincter injury at 6 months and 3 years after delivery. Results Five (10%) patients, with mean age 29.4 ± 6.5 years, mean neonatal weight of 3874 ± 287, and mean duration of delivery 11.6 ± 1.51 h, had signs of sphincter injury in Endo-anal sonography. The injury was persisted at six months after delivery. Also, significant differences were seen between anal manometry before delivery and 6 months and 3 years after delivery (p = 0.006 for mean squeezing pressure) in the five mothers. Conclusion Endo-anal sonography might be a good screening tool for early detection of postpartum anal sphincter damages. However, further prospective cost benefit studies should be performed to propose it as a standard of care.

Resumo Finalidade A lesão de esfíncter anal após o parto é o fator principal na patogênese da incontinência fecal. Observa-se uma lesão clínica óbvia e específica ao esfíncter no canal anal em 3% dos partos vaginais. Em muitas mulheres não se percebe uma laceração nítida e específica, mas houve lesão nos músculos esfinctéricos do canal anal. A finalidade desse estudo é investigar a frequência de lesão oculta de esfíncter no canal anal em seguida ao parto vaginal por meio da ultrassonografia endoanal. Métodos Cinquenta mulheres primíparas foram avaliadas no período de 27-33 semanas de gestação e também a 6 semanas e 6 meses após o parto vaginal por meio de questionário, exame e ultrassonografia endoanal. Foram anotados a idade das pacientes, a duração do parto, o efeito da anestesia epidural, episiotomias e peso do bebê ao nascer; também foram registrados os resultados da ultrassonografia endoanal. Antes do parto, todas as gestantes foram submetidas a um exame de manometria; e 5 mães com lesão esfinctérica também passaram por esse procedimento a 6 meses e 3 anos após o parto. Resultados Cinco (10%) pacientes, com média de idade = 29,4 ± 6,5 anos, peso médio do bebê ao nascer = 3874 ± 287 gramas e duração média do parto = 11,6 ± 1,51 horas, apresentavam sinais de lesão esfinctérica ao exame por ultrassonografia endoanal. Seis meses após o parto, as lesões persistiam. Também foram observadas diferenças significativas entre a manometria anal antes do parto e a 6 meses e 3 anos após o parto (p = 0,006 para média de pressão de contração) nas cinco mães. Conclusão A ultrassonografia endoanal pode ser um bom instrumento de triagem para a detecção precoce de lesões do esfíncter anal no pós-parto. Contudo, é importante que sejam realizados novos estudos prospectivos e de custo-benefício, para que essa técnica possa ser proposta como padrão terapêutico.

Pulling Seton: Combination of mechanisms.

BACKGROUND: Seton-based techniques are among popular methods for treating high type anal fistula. These techniques are categorized to cutting and noncutting regarding their mechanism of action. In this report we are about to describe a new technique, which is a combination of both mechanisms; we call it Pulling Seton. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In this technique after determining internal and external orifice of fistula, fistulectomy is done from both ends to the level of external sphincteric muscle. Finally, a remnant of fistula, which remains beneath external sphincteric muscle is excised, and Seton is passed instead of it and tied externally. After the wound heals, patient is asked to pull down the Seton for 3-4 min, 4 times a day. We prospectively enrolled 201 patients with high type anal fistula in this study. RESULTS: Seton gradually passes through external sphincteric muscle till it is displaced outwards or removed by a surgeon via a small incision. 94% of patients treated by this method accomplished their treatment completely without recurrence. None of the patients developed permanent fecal or gas incontinence. Only 5% of patients developed with recurrence of fistula. Since Seton traction is not permanent in this technique, Seton cuts external sphincter slowly, and minimal rate of incontinence is reported. CONCLUSION: Pulling Seton seems to be an efficient way in treating high type anal fistula with minimal rate of recurrence and complications such as incontinence and authors suggest further randomized studies to compare its efficacy with other Seton-based techniques.

Using amniotic membrane for anal sphincter repair in animal model / Uso de membrana amniótica para reparo de esfíncter anal em modelo animal

Purpose: Sphincter repair is the primary management for fecal incontinence especially in traumatic causes. Regardless of progression in the method and material of sphincter repair, the results are still disappointing. This study evaluates the efficacy of using amniotic membrane during sphincteroplasty regarding its effects in healing of various tissues. Methods: Rabbits undergone sphincterotomy and after three weeks end to end sphincteroplasty was done. Animals divided to three groups: classic sphincteroplasty, sphincteroplasty with fresh amniotic membrane and sphincteroplasty with decellularized amniotic membrane. Three weeks after sphincteroplasty animals were sacrificed and sphincter complex was sent for histopathologic evaluation. Sphincter muscle diameter and composition of sphincter was evaluated. Before sphincterotomy, before and after sphincteroplasty electromyography of sphincter at the site of repair were recorded. Results: No statistical significant difference was seen between groups even in histopathology or electromyography. Conclusion: Although amniotic showed promising effects in the healing of different tissue in animal and human studies it was not effective in healing of injured sphincter.

Objetivo: Reparo do esfíncter é o tratamento primário para casos de incontinência fecal, especialmente em causas traumáticas. Independentemente da progressão no método e do material de reparo do esfíncter, os resultados são ainda desapontadores. Esse estudo avalia a eficácia do uso da membrana amniótica durante a esfincteroplastia, com relação aos seus efeitos na cura de diversos tecidos. Métodos: Coelhos foram submetidos a um procedimento de esfincterotomia e, depois de transcorridas três semanas, foi realizada uma esfincteroplastia término-terminal. Os animais foram divididos em três grupos: esfincteroplastia clássica, esfincteroplastia com membrana amniótica fresca, e esfincteroplastia com membrana amniótica descelularizada. Três semanas após a realização da esfincteroplastia, os animais foram sacrificados e o complexo esfinctérico foi encaminhado para avaliação histopatológica. O diâmetro do músculo esfinctérico e a composição do esfíncter foram avaliados. Antes da esfincterotomia, e antes e depois da esfincteroplastia, foi registrada a eletromiografia do esfíncter no local do reparo. Resultados: Não foi observada diferença estatisticamente significativa entre os grupos, mesmo na histopatologia, ou na eletromiografia. Conclusão: Embora a membrana amniótica tenha demonstrado efeitos promissores em termos da cicatrização dos diferentes tecidos em estudos com animais e em humanos, não foi observada eficácia na cura do esfíncter lesionado.

Incidence of hepatocellular carcinoma in southeast iran.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a well-known consequence of chronic liver disease (CLD). The aim of this study was to extract the HCC incidence rate in the province of Kerman, located in southern part of Iran, and compare the data with other parts of the country. MATERIALS AND METHODS: All medical records related to HCC were collected through hospitals or outpatient services in public or private centers. The records of all oncology, radiotherapy, and pathology centers in Kerman province were actively searched between 1999 and 2006. The annual incidence of HCC around the country was calculated, using the national cancer registry database provided by the Health Ministry of IR Iran from 2005 to 2006. Using Stata version 8, the crude and age-sex-standardized annual incidence rates were computed. RESULTS: The crude annual incidence rates of HCC per 100,000 persons in Kerman and Iran were 0.522 (95% CI = 0.238- 0.88) and 0.199 (95% CI = 0.167-0.234), respectively. When adjusting for age and sex, the annual incidence rates of HCC in Kerman and Iran were 0.7 (95% CI = 0.4-1.1) and 0.2 (95% CI = 0.2-0.3) per 100,000 persons, respectively (P<0.01).The mean age of patients in Kerman was around 5.5 years younger than other parts of Iran (56.17 ± 18.32 years versus 61.68 ± 14.62 years; P=0.004). CONCLUSIONS: In general, the incidence of HCC is not very high in Iran; however, the higher incidence of HCC in Kerman and also the lower age of onset mandates further research to detect HCC's risk factors in this part of country.

Potential of human umbilical cord matrix and rabbit bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells in repair of surgically incised rabbit external anal sphincter.

PURPOSE: Anal sphincter defects and fecal incontinence are complicated surgical problems. We investigated the ability of human umbilical cord matrix (hUCM) and rabbit bone marrow (rBM) stem cells to improve anal sphincter incontinence due to induced sphincter defects without surgical repair. METHODS: We harvested hUCM cells from human Wharton's jelly and rBM stem cells from rabbit femurs and tibias. To induce sphincter defects, we made an incision in the external anal sphincter. Rabbits were randomly allocated to 5 groups to receive either no intervention (n = 3) or injections of 10 hUCM cells in medium (10 microL RPMI-1640), rBM cells in medium, medium only, or normal saline (n = 7 per group), 2 weeks after sphincterotomy. Transplanted cells were tracked in the injured sphincters by prelabeling with bromodeoxyuridine. Electromyography was performed before and 2 weeks after the external anal sphincterotomy, and 2 weeks after cell transplantation. We also evaluated the proliferation and differentiation of injected cells with histopathologic techniques. RESULTS: Electromyography showed significant improvement in sphincter function 2 weeks after local injection of rBM stem cells compared with pretreatment values and controls. Moderate, nonsignificant improvement was observed with hUCM cell injection. Cells with incorporated bromodeoxyuridine were detected at the site of injury after transplantation of hUCM and rBM. Histopathologic evaluation showed normal or muscle-dominant sphincter structure in all animals receiving rBM and fibrous-dominant sphincter structure in most animals receiving hUCM. CONCLUSIONS: Stem cell injection at the site of injury can enhance contractile function of the anal sphincter without surgical repair. Transplantation of stem cells, particularly bone marrow mesenchymal cells, may provide an effective tool for treating anal sphincter injuries in humans.

Presence of lead in opium.

Opium addiction is a common form of addiction in Middle East countries such as Iran. Recently several reports suggested some kinds of pathologic findings such as abdominal pain, nephropathy, and anemia in opium addict patients. Such pathologic findings suggest lead poisoning in the patients. In this study, the concentration of lead in 10 opium samples was evaluated. The mean concentration of lead in the opium samples was 1.88 ppm. This may explain some of the pathologic findings found in addict patients. The authors would suggest further investigations to evaluate the lead concentration in opium addicts' sera and also routine screening for lead poisoning in opium addict patients.

Epidemiology and heterogeneity of hypertension in Iran: a systematic review.

There are many descriptive studies on hypertension in Iran, mostly assessing the prevalence of the disease and its associations with various risk factors. In order to gain a better insight into the epidemiology of hypertension in Iran and its heterogeneity around the country, we systematically reviewed all available studies and analyzed their findings using meta-analysis methods. All published papers in Iranian and international journals, final reports of research projects, papers presented in relevant congresses, and also all dissertations of medical students were reviewed using standard keywords. Studies published during 1996 - 2004, which met the eligibility criteria were entered into meta-analysis. We found 38 studies, of which 29 were eligible with a total sample size of 93,661 subjects. Also, we accessed the results of a very large national survey, which reported the prevalence of hypertension in 27 provinces. Our estimation for the overall prevalence of hypertension in 30 - 55 and >55-year-old population were around 23% and 50%, respectively. The prevalence in men was 1.3% less than that in women (P<0.0001). The mean diastolic blood pressure in men was 0.62 mmHg less than that in women while the mean systolic blood pressure was 0.67 mmHg greater.We found a sharp increase in the prevalence of hypertension by age, and also greater risk in females. It seems that the overall prevalence of hypertension in Iran is considerable. Iranian health system should pay more attention to control and treatment of hypertension in general population.