A modified myotomy of the puborectalis for anismus.

Anismus or non-relaxing puborectalis muscle (PRM) on straining may affect over 40% of patients with obstructed defecation (OD). Management is usually with biofeedback, or botulin toxin injection or partial puborectalis muscle myotomy. Such a procedure can be difficult technically. Bleeding and rectal injury may occur when detaching the PRM from the rectum. A partial modification of surgical technique may avoid these complications. The diagnosis should be confirmed with exclusion of sphincter compromise. Through two cutaneous incisions, an Ellis forceps is advanced through the ischio-rectal space, whilst finger pressure per rectum allows the puborectalis to be visualized and grasped by the forceps. Removal of some ischiorectal fat may be necessary to allow division of half the PRM under direct view. From October 2020 to October 2021, 5 patients underwent the modified technique in our department (4 males, median age 43 years [range 34-58 years], median follow-up 6 months [range 2-12 months]). No patients suffered from injury of the rectum or bleeding during or after surgery. Operative time was 30 min less than conventional PRM division, as the time-consuming "blind dissection" of PRM was avoided. Four patients regained appropriate relaxation of the PRM on straining. One male patient had temporary minor anal incontinence for 2 weeks. One male patient with severe mental distress continued to have with anismus and OD after surgery and refused psychiatric support. This modified procedure is feasible and safe and quicker than our conventional technique. More cases with longer follow-up are needed to confirm its efficacy.

Semi-closed bilateral partial miotomy of the puborectalis for anismus: a pilot study: Partial miotomy of the puborectalis for anismus.

BACKGROUND: Anismus or non relaxing puborectalis muscle (PRM) may cause obstructed defecation (OD). Reported surgical treatment is partial miotomy, followed by sepsis, bleeding, and incontinence. The aim of the present study was to investigate on the feasibility and outcome of a modified mini-invasive operation. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Consecutive patients with anismus and OD not responding to medical therapy, excluding multiparous females, patients with anal incontinence, recto-rectal intussusception, and disordered psychological pattern. Semi-closed bilateral partial division of PRM, pulled down through 1-cm perianal incisions, was performed. Concomitant significant rectal mucosal prolapse and rectocele, when present, were treated. OD was evaluated using a validated score and anal/vaginal ultrasound (US) was performed pre -and postoperatively. A control group of seven patients with normal bowel habit was also investigated. RESULTS: Eight patients (seven females), median age 48 years (range 29-71) were operated. Six also had significant mucosal prolapse and rectocele. All were followed up for a median of 12 months (range 2-40). None of them had postoperative sepsis or bleeding. One had just one occasional episode of mild anal incontinence. Symptoms improved in 6 or 75 % and, OD score decreased from 19.6 ± 1.0 to 9.2 ± 2.0 (mean ± s.e.m.), P = 0.007. No patient had anismus after surgery and PRM relaxation changed from 0 to 5.9 ± 0.8 mm being 6.6 ± 1.5 mm in controls. CONCLUSION: Semi-closed bilateral partial division of PRM achieves muscle's relaxation on straining in all patients without any significant postoperative complication. Further studies are needed prior to consider it a validated procedure.

Psychological stress in patients with anal fistula.

AIM: Psychological stress is known to affect the immunologic system and the inflammatory response. The aim of this study was to assess the presence of psychological stress, anxiety, and depression in patients with anal fistula. METHODS: Consecutive patients with anal fistula, hemorrhoids, and normal volunteers were studied prospectively. Stressful life events were recorded and subjects were asked to complete the state-trait anxiety inventory (STAI), a depression scale, and three different reactive graphic tests (RGT). RESULTS: Seventy-eight fistula patients, 73 patients with grade III-IV hemorrhoids, and 37 normal volunteers were enrolled. Of the fistula patients, 65 (83 %) reported one or more stressful events in the year prior to diagnosis, compared to 16 (22 %) of the hemorrhoid patients (P = 0.001). There were no significant differences in the percentage of subjects with abnormal trait anxiety (i.e., proneness for anxiety) and depression scores between fistula patients, hemorrhoid patients, and controls. Fistula patients had significantly higher (i.e., better) scores compared to hemorrhoid patients in two of three RGT and significantly lower (i.e., worse) scores in all three RGT compared to healthy volunteers. Of 37 patients followed up for a median of 28 months (range 19-41 months) after surgery, 8 (21.6 %) had persistent or recurrent sepsis. There was no significant difference in depression, STAI, and RGT scores between patients with sepsis and patients whose fistula healed. CONCLUSION: Our results suggest that an altered emotional state plays an important role in the pathogenesis of anal fistula and underline the importance of psychological screening in patients with anorectal disorders.

The PNEI holistic approach in coloproctology.

The psycho-neuroendocrine-immune approach relies on the concept of considering diseases from a holistic point of view: the various components (psyche, nervous system, endocrine system, and immune system) control the diseased organ/apparatus and in turn are influenced by a feedback mechanism. In this article, we will consider the psycho-neuroendocrine-immune approach to coloproctological disorders, by providing clinical cases and discussing them in light of this approach.

Psycho-echo-biofeedback: a novel treatment for anismus--results of a prospective controlled study.

BACKGROUND: Anismus or non-relaxing puborectalis muscle (PRM), detectable with anal/vaginal ultrasound (US), is a cause of obstructed defecation (OD) and may be treated with biofeedback (BFB). Many patients with anismus are anxious and/or depressed. The aim of this prospective study was to evaluate the outcome of the novel procedure psycho-echo-BFB in patients with anismus and psychological disorders. METHODS: Patients presenting at our unit with anismus and psychological disorders between January 2009 and December 2013, and not responding to conventional conservative treatment, were enrolled in the study. All underwent four sessions of psycho-echo-BFB, carried out by two psychologists and a coloproctologist, consisting of guided imagery, relaxation techniques and anal/vaginal US-assisted BFB. A validated score for OD was used, and PRM relaxation on straining measured before and after the treatment. PRM relaxation was also measured in a control group of 7 patients with normal bowel habits. RESULTS: Ten patients (8 females, median age 47 years, range 26-72 years) underwent psycho-echo-BFB. The OD score, evaluated prior to and at a median of 25 months (range 1-52 months) after the treatment, improved in 7 out of 10 patients, from 13.5 ± 1.2 to 9.6 ± 2.2 (mean ± standard error of the mean (SEM)), p = 0.06. At the end of the last session, PRM relaxed on straining in all cases, from 0 to 7.1 ± 1.1 mm, i.e., physiological values, not statistically different from those of controls (6.6 ± 1.5 mm). Two patients reported were cured, 3 improved and 5, all of whom had undergone prior anorectal surgery, unchanged. No side effects were reported. CONCLUSIONS: Psycho-echo-BFB is safe and inexpensive and allows all patients with anismus to relax PRM on straining. Previous anorectal surgery may be a negative predictor.

Partial prolapsectomy and fixation proctomucopexy: a novel minimally invasive procedure.

A novel minimally invasive procedure for the management of anterior external and posterior internal mucosal prolapse is described. The operation, carried out via a transanal route, consists of a partial prolapsectomy and a mucosal proctopexy. Out of six patients, one had severe postoperative bleeding and one had a recurrence of internal prolapse and obstructed defecation. Three patients had pelvic floor rehabilitation for associated dysfunctions. The advantage of the operation is that a circumferential anastomosis is avoided, thus decreasing the risk of dehiscence, and only a short sphincter dilation is required. Moreover, the procedure has very little effect on the rectal reservoir, thus preventing fecal urgency. No reintervention was needed, and almost all patients were cured after 2 years.