Management of rectal foreign bodies.

The presence of foreign bodies inserted into the rectum is not an uncommon situation. Precise guidelines for the management and extraction of these foreign bodies are not frequently described in the literature. Anal access, whether endoscopic or surgical, varies depending on the type of foreign bodies, their size and morphology, and their location in the lower digestive tract In this report, we describe a case of three rectal foreign bodies that necessitated a mixed endoscopic and surgical approach, and provide a review of the literature.

Restoration of digestive continuity after Hartmann's procedure: ASA score is a predictive factor for risk of postoperative complications.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Re-establishment of colonic continuity (RDC) following Hartmann's procedure is associated with high morbidity (anastomotic leak 4-16%) and mortality (0-4%) rates. The aim of this retrospective study was to evaluate the morbidity of RDC following Hartmann's procedure, and analyse the various factors that may influence the rate of complications. METHODOLOGY: From 1996 to 2008, 158 patients were treated by Hartmann's colectomy. Hartmann's procedure is generally indicated in cases with infection in the abdominal cavity, combined with a distended or non-prepared intestine, or both. Of the 158 patients, 111 (70.3%) underwent a re-establishment of colonic continuity. The mean patient age was 63.4 years (26-91 years) ; the female/male ratio was 1:64. RESULTS: The mean delay between the Hartmann's procedure and the RDC was 169.7 days (21-1095 days) and the mean duration of the hospital stay was 16.7 days (8-57 days). The mortality rate was 0.9% and incidence of anastomotic stricture was 3.6%. The morbidity was 38.7%. The majority of patients presenting complications had an ASA score > II, and most of the patients without complications were classified as ASA < or = II. CONCLUSIONS: The RDC is an intervention performed safely after a 3 to 5-month delay with acceptable morbidity and negligible mortality. The ASA score is a determining factor for the risk of complications (p < 0.05).

Long-term results of a non-ramdomized prospective mono-centre study of 1000 laparoscopic totally extraperitoneal hernia repairs.

BACKGROUND: Information concerning short-term results for laparoscopic extraperitoneal hernia repair is available, but long-term results remain poorly documented. The purpose of this non-randomized prospective study was to evaluate recurrence and chronic pain after hernia repair over a period longer than 10 years. MATERIALS AND METHODS: From 1995 to 2004, all patients aged 30 years or more, manifesting with inguinal hernia, were included in our study. Patients aged 20 to 30 years presenting with bilateral hernia, recurrent hernia, or who were heavy workers were also included. Patients who had pelvic irradiation, strangulated hernia, prostatic cancer resection, or a contra-indication to general anaesthesia were excluded. Of 1096 hernia repairs performed, 248 patients were excluded and underwent open repair and 848 patients (77.4%) were included in our prospective study, which corresponded to 1000 laparoscopic hernia repairs. RESULTS: The sex ratio (male : female) was 5:8, and the average age was 56 years. Seven hundred and fifty-three hernias (75.3%) were first repairs, 247 (24.7%) were recurrent hernias, and 161 were bilateral hernias. There were no mortalities. The conversion rate was 1.1%, and the global postoperative morbidity rate was 10.3%. Average follow-up was 39 months in 92.2% of the patients. Hernia recurrence rate was 1.5%. Chronic pain occurred in 2.9%. During this follow-up, 22 contra-lateral hernias appeared in those patients who initially had unilateral hernia repair (3.2%). All of these contra-lateral hernias could be successfully treated using a laparoscopic total extraperitoneal approach. CONCLUSIONS: The long-term results of this study demonstrate that preperitoneal laparoscopic hernia repair is a safe technique with a very low recurrence rate and low prevalence of chronic pain.

Abdominal surgery during pregnancy: a retrospective study of 23 patients.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to demonstrate that during pregnancy a large variety of non-gynaecological abdominal pathologies can be safely managed with surgery. METHODS: The medical records of twenty-three patients that were pregnant and underwent open or laparoscopic surgery from 1997 to 2007 were reviewed. RESULTS: Twenty-one of the 23 patients have given birth and all but one of the babies were healthy with normal weights, sizes, and APGAR scores. One patient had spontaneous termination of pregnancy one week after the surgical procedure and one patient is out of follow-up. Preterm partus was induced in three patients due to life-threatening conditions for the mother. Each laparoscopy was performed safely without peri-operative complications. CONCLUSION: Open or laparoscopic abdominal surgery poses little or no additional risk for mother or child.

Surgical resection for colon cancer: laparoscopic assisted vs. open colectomy.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Laparoscopic surgery has been considered for more than a decade for treatment of colorectal cancer. Although its benefits in term of postoperative comfort and parietal preservation are commonly accepted, its efficiency to achieve proper oncologic resection and to prevent tumor recurrence are still debated. The purpose of this retrospective study is to compare results of a minimally invasive laparoscopic approach to these of open surgery for treatment of colorectal cancer. METHODOLOGY: From January 1st 1999 to September 30th 2004, 239 patients underwent colorectal cancer resections; 28 of these patients underwent surgery in an emergent context and were excluded from this study. Accurate follow-up was available for 165 of the 239 patients (69%). For the study, 165 patients were divided into 3 groups: 39 patients underwent a laparoscopically assisted surgery (L group), 120 patients underwent an open colectomy (O group) and 6 patients initially treated with a laparoscopic approach were converted to open colectomy (L/O group) (conversion rate: 8.8%). RESULTS: Sex ratio, mean age and A.S.A. score, as well as patients' past records were similar in the 3 groups. Histological staging was more often stages 3 and 4 in the O group (62.5%) comparing to the L group (41%) (p < 0.5). Mean operating time was slightly longerwhen a laparoscopically assisted approach was used. Overall early mortality rate of this study was 1.8%. Combined local and general overall morbidity rate was 36%. Overall incidence of anastomotic fistulae was 4% and reintervention rate during the early postoperative period was 8%. Postoperative ileus period was often longer for patients of the O group but without statistical significance. Mean duration of hospital stay was similar in the 3 groups. Data concerning surgical resection did not show any difference between groups. None of the patients experienced a metastatic skin settlement. Overall anastomotic stenosis rate was low (2%). The overall locoregional recurrence rate was 12%, without difference between the 3 groups. Forty-two percent of these recurrences were secondarily treated by curative surgery. Similar survival rates as well as oncological spreading frequencies were found. CONCLUSIONS: Results obtained when comparing minimal invasive laparoscopically assisted surgery to open procedure are similar and efficient.

Laparoscopic management of acute small bowel obstruction: a retrospective study on 156 patients.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Laparoscopic treatment of small bowel obstruction (SBO) has been proposed in selected patients. This study reports an experience and tries to establish indications for laparoscopy. METHODOLOGY: 156 patients underwent laparoscopic or open approach for SBO. Demographics, clinical, biological, radiological and previous surgery were recorded. Obstruction causes, conversion rates and postoperative complications were retrospectively analyzed. RESULTS: Laparoscopic approach was undertaken for 96 patients (61%) and completed in 62 (65%), whereas 34 (35%) required conversion. 60 patients (39%) underwent a direct open approach. Mortality was 10% and morbidity 38%. Postoperative adhesion was the predominant etiology. Conversion rate and type of approach was directly influenced by cause of obstruction and type of previous surgery, but not by number of previous surgeries. Conversions and open approach increase morbidity, mortality, length of stay and return to transit. CONCLUSIONS: Laparoscopy is an elegant tool for management of selected patients with SBO. A single band of obstruction appearing after minor surgery appears to be a good indication for laparoscopy. Nevertheless, conversion rate and morbidity are still high. On the contrary, laparoscopy seems contraindicated for patients with prior history of major abdominal surgery, neoplasia or multiple laparotomies, and a direct open approach is then advocated. Prospective randomized studies comparing laparoscopy and open approach are required to evaluate their respective efficacy and safety in management of SBO.

Perianal Paget's disease: case report and review of the literature.

Cutaneous Paget's disease (PD) is a rare entity, predominantly involving the breasts. Anal involvement is rather exceptional, and can be associated with underlying malignancies, among which prostate and rectal adenocarcinoma. We report the case of a 71-year-old man suffering from a long history of anal itching, associated with an erythematosquamous lesion of the right buttock extending up to the anus. The diagnosis of perianal PD (PAPD) was confirmed by histopathological demonstration of Paget's cells from a biopsy performed after ineffective topical treatment. Radiological and further clinical inspections allowed us to exclude any synchronous malignancy. A first-step surgery consisted in coelioscopic diverting sigmoid colostomy, along with multiple perianal, anal and rectal biopsies revealing an anal canal involvement. Coelioscopic abdominoperineal surgery and a wide cutaneous excision were then performed. Histopathological analysis revealed positive posterior margin, requiring further excision. No adjuvant therapy was prescribed, and to this day, after a one-year and a half follow-up, the patient remains disease-free. Our case report and review of PAPD stress that appropriate management is required to improve the poor prognosis of this rare affection.

Localized renal cell carcinoma of an unusually large size: case report.

Renal cell carcinoma has a variable clinical course. Size is a prognostic factor correlated with venous invasion, lymph node or distant metastases. These are more often encountered when the size exceeds 10 cm. For 20 years, incidental renal tumours have represented the majority of diagnosed cases, as a result of more common use of imaging techniques. We report a case of renal cell carcinoma of an unusually large size, without metastatic or locally advanced disease. Histology revealed a pT2 clear cell renal cell carcinoma of 31 x 31 x 10 cm, which was totally resected. It is the first case reported of localized conventional renal cell carcinoma reaching such a size.

[Large intraperitoneal leiomyosarcoma. Report of a case and review of the literature]. / Volumineux léiomyosarcome intrapéritonéal. Rapport d'un cas et revue de la littérature.

The leiomyosarcoma are rare tumors, accounting for only 0.1% to 3% of all gastrointestinal malignancies. 150 new cases are diagnosed annually in the United States. The spectacular character of leiomyosarcoma consists in its measurements, its size reaching 35 x 25 x 17 cm, its weight 5.5 kg, and in the asymptomatic character of the tumor. The final diagnosis, although suspect with preoperative diagnostic procedure, is obtained after histologic examination. Complete surgical excision is the best treatment, the role of radiation therapy and chemotherapy are not yet established.