Hand-assisted laparoscopic total colectomy for slow transit constipation.

PURPOSE: Current medical treatments for slow transit constipation (STC) are often ineffective, and total colectomy with ileorectal anastomosis has been the procedure of choice for selected patients with refractory STC. Today, minimally invasive approaches are being utilized in a greater number of procedures as surgeons become more familiar with the techniques involved. The aim of this study was to assess the safety and utility of hand-assisted laparoscopic total colectomy for STC. METHOD: From January 2002 to December 2005, 44 women presented with complaints of intractable constipation and failed to respond to medical treatment. Slow transit constipation was diagnosed after a series of examinations, including a colonic transit test, anal manometry, balloon expulsion test, and barium enema. All eligible patients underwent a hand-assisted laparoscopic total colectomy with ileorectal anastomosis. Main outcome measures included the operative time, conversion to open procedure, blood loss, time to return of flatus, length of postoperative hospital stay, and complications. RESULT: The mean operative time was 197 min (range, 125-295 min). The mean estimated blood loss was 113 ml (range, 100-300 ml). The mean day of first time to flatus was 2 days, and the mean hospital stay was 7.6 days. There was no conversion to an open procedure and no surgical mortality. In the following period, two patients developed intestinal obstruction, which underwent exploratory laparotomy. However, some 39 patients (88.6%) expressed excellent or good in satisfaction. CONCLUSION: Hand-assisted laparoscopic total colectomy could be a safe and efficient technique in the treatment of STC.

Stapled hemorrhoidectomy versus conventional excision hemorrhoidectomy for acute hemorrhoidal crisis.

We compared the safety and clinical outcomes of stapled hemorrhoidectomy and conventional excision hemorrhoidectomy in the treatment of acute hemorrhoidal crisis, and analyzed various factors associated with complications in stapled hemorrhoidectomy. Forty patients underwent stapled hemorrhoidectomy and forty underwent conventional excision hemorrhoidectomy. All had the operation under local anesthesia with conscious sedation within 24 h of admission. The length of surgery, hospital stay, disability, postoperative pain, and the use of analgesics were significantly less for patients in the stapled hemorrhoidectomy group. Stapled hemorrhoidectomy did not significantly increase the rate of complications. Five patients in the stapled group (12.5%) required further surgical intervention: three with thrombosed hemorrhoids and two with recurrent prolapse. No serious complications were reported in either group. Patient satisfaction was similar in the two groups. Increased age was identified as a factor that significantly elevated the risk of complications in the stapled group (OR, 1.06; 95% CI, 1.01-1.13). Anemia and time between the onset of prolapsed hemorrhoids and hospital admission were also risk factors for complications, although they were not significant. Stapled hemorrhoidectomy is a feasible treatment for selected patients with an acute hemorrhoidal crisis and has a similar complication rate to that of conventional excision hemorrhoidectomy. Stapled hemorrhoidectomy is superior in less-postoperative pain, shorter operation time, shorter hospital stay, and earlier return to normal activity. However, we suggest that older patients with anemia or a prolonged hemorrhoidal crisis are unsuitable for stapled hemorrhoidectomy.

Heterotopic mesenteric ossification after total colectomy for bleeding diverticulosis of the colon--a rare case report.

Heterotopic bone formation within an abdominal incision is a rare sequela of abdominal surgery. Only a few previous reports have noted heterotopic ossification in the mesentery of the small intestine and peri-ileostomy. Here, we report the case of a 60-year-old man who underwent emergent laparotomy and total colectomy with end ileostomy and developed this condition 1 month postoperatively. Heterotopic ossification in the peri-ileostomy tissue caused stenosis of the ileostoma. Laparotomy for re-anastomosis due to a large bone formation at an abdominal midline scar is very difficult and results in a massive abdominal wall defect. Therefore, we used a lower transverse incision to avoid the site of bone formation and resected the terminal ileum with its ossified mesentery. Then, we successfully carried out an anastomosis between the ileum and the rectum. The possible pathogenesis is a metaplastic mechanism of differentiation of immature multipotent mesenchymal cells. Our case provides the experience of treatment and new perspective on currently held hypotheses of heterotopic bone formation.

Isolated rectal diverticulum complicating with rectal prolapse and outlet obstruction: case report.

The occurrence of rectal diverticula is very rare, with only sporadic reports in the literature since 1911. Symptomatic rectal diverticula are encountered even less frequently. Treatments of these complicated events range from conservative treatments to major surgical interventions. We present a hitherto unreported occurrence of isolated rectal diverticulum complicated with rectal prolapse and outlet obstruction. Delorme's procedure resulted in subsidence of symptoms and resolution of the diverticulum. It provides a minimal invasive surgical technique to successfully address the reported malady.