Scientific Publications

G. Naldini, A. Sturiale

Tech Coloproctol 2020; 24: 985–986.

G. Gallo, A. Sturiale, V. De Simone, G. L. Di Tanna, F. Bianco, R. Perinotti, I. Giani & U. Grossi

Tech Coloproctol (2020)

F. Cobellis, E. Satta, M. Pescatori

Tech Coloproctol 2020; 24(1): 87-89.

P. Giamundo, M. De Angelis, A. Mereu

Abstract

Background: The hemorrhoid laser procedure with suture-pexy (HeLPexx), consisting of Doppler-guided hemorrhoidal dearterialization with laser and the addition of anal mucopexy, is a novel non-excisional procedure to treat hemorrhoids. The aim of the present study was to describe the technique and report the clinical and long-term results.

Methods: A prospective study was conducted on patients with grade III hemorrhoids who had HeLPexx from January 2012 to February 2018. Pre- and postoperative assessment included a thorough clinical examination, constipation and incontinence scoring systems and a symptom questionnaire which was administered at all patients before surgery and at each follow-up visit to evaluate bleeding, prolapse, manual reduction, discomfort or pain, and impact on quality of life. Each symptom had a score between 0 and 4, (0 indicates no symptoms and 4 indicates daily symptoms). The sum of the score for each symptom constituted the Hemorrhoid Symptom Score. Resolution of symptoms, pain, morbidity, need for further medical and/or surgical therapy were also recorded.

Results: One hundred and seventy consecutive patients with grade III hemorrhoids [74 females; mean age 49.5 years (range 22-79) years] were included. Median length of follow-up was 36 (range 12-72) months. Postoperative morbidity included urinary retention (7 patients, 4.1%), bleeding not requiring transfusion (1 patient, 0.6%) and thrombosis of hemorrhoidal piles (2 patients, 1.2%). The mean postoperative pain VAS score at 1 week postoperatively was 1.8 ± 1.1 (range 0-5) and 12 (7%) patients used pain medications for more than 1 week postoperatively while none of the patients reported any pain by the end of the third week postoperatively. The Hemorrhoid Symptom Score significantly improved from 15.83 ± 3.04 to 1.3 ± 2.4 (p ≤ 0.001) and showed a statistically significant improvement in all items. Recurrent symptoms were reported in 12 patients (7%) who required further treatment. Severe chronic constipation prior to surgery was found to be a predictive factor of failure (p = 0.04).

Conclusions: HeLPexx appears to be safe and effective for treatment of symptomatic hemorrhoids. Further studies are needed to confirm our results.

Keywords: Anal mucopexy; Dearterialization; HeLP; Hemorrhoids; Laser therapy.

Tech Coloproctol 2020; 24(2): 199-205.

A Amato, F Mataloni, M Bruzzone, M Carabotti, R Cirocchi, R Nascimbeni, G Gambassi,
N P Vettoretto, L Pinnarelli, R Cuomo, B Annibale, V Fontana, G . Binda

Tech Coloproctol 2020; 24(3): 237-245.

Abstract

Background: Epidemiological studies show an increasing trend of hospitalization for acute diverticulitis (AD), but data regarding the trend in hospitalization for complicated AD in Italy are scarce. The aim of this study was to analyze the Italian trend in hospitalization for complicated AD, from 2008 to 2015.

Methods: Using the Italian Hospital Information System, we identified all patients with complicated colonic AD as a discharge diagnosis. Age- and sex-specific rates for AD as well as type of hospital admission (emergency/elective), type of complication (peritonitis, obstruction, bleeding, abscess, fistula, perforation, sepsis) and type of treatment (medical/surgical), were analyzed.

Results: A total of 41,622 patients with a discharge diagnosis of complicated AD were identified. Over the study period the admission rate grew from 8.8 to 11.8 per 100,000 inhabitants. The hospitalization rate was highest for patients ≥ 70 years, but the increase in the admission rate was higher among patients aged ≤ 60 years. There were more males in the group < 60 years and more females in the group ≥ 60 years old. The rate of emergency admissions associated with surgery showed a significant mean annual increase (+ 3.9% per year) in the rate of emergency admissions associated with surgery, whereas elective admissions for surgery remained stable. Peritonitis was the most frequent complication (35.5%). The rate of surgery increased in AD complicated by peritonitis (+ 5.1% per year), abscess (+ 5.8% per year) and decreased for obstruction (- 1.8% per year). Conclusions: From 2008 to 2015, we documented an increasing rate of hospitalization for complicated AD, especially for younger patients, with an increase in surgery for peritonitis and abscess. Further studies are needed to clearly assess the risk factors for complications and risk of surgery.

Keywords: Abscess; Diverticulitis; Epidemiologic studies; Hospitalization; Italy; Peritonitis; Risk factors; Sepsis.

G Bassotti, E Antonelli, V. Villanacci, R Nascimbeni, M . Dore, GM Pes, G Maconi

Tech Coloproctol 2020; 24(4): 275-282.

Abstract
Background: There is substantial evidence linking disturbed gastrointestinal motility to inflammation. Thus, it is not surprising that abnormalities of gastrointestinal motility play a role in inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), affecting patient outcomes. We performed a review of the literature to investigate the relationship between abnormal gut motility and IBD.

Methods: With an extensive literature search, we retrieved the pertinent articles linking disturbed gut motility to IBD in various anatomical districts.

Results: The evidence in the literature suggests that abnormal gastrointestinal motility plays a role in the clinical setting of IBD and may confuse the clinical picture.

Conclusions: Abnormal gut motility may be important in the clinical setting of IBD. However, additional data obtained with modern techniques (e.g., magnetic resonance imaging) are needed to individuate in a more precise manner gastrointestinal motor dysfunctions, to understand the nature of clinical manifestations and properly tailor the treatment of patients.

Keywords: Crohn’s disease; Gut dysmotility; Inflammatory bowel disease; Ulcerative colitis.

A Sturiale, B Fabiani, F Celedon Porzio, C Menconi, G Naldini Alessandro Sturiale, Bernardina Fabiani

Tech Coloproctol 2020; 24(4): 331-334.

M Manigrasso, U Elmore, A Vignali, GD De Palma, M Milone

Tech Coloproctol 2020; 24(5): 497-498.

G Gallo, M La Torre, R Pietroletti, F Bianco, DF Altomare, S. Pucciarelli, G. Gagliardi, R. Perinotti

Tech Coloprctol 2020; 24(6): 501-505.

GA Binda

Tech Coloproctol 2020; 24(6): 509-511.

G Campagna, G Panico, D Caramazza, LP Anchora, A Parello, V Gallucci, L Vacca, G Scambia, A Ercoli, C Ratto

Tech Coloproctol 2020; 24(6): 573-584.

Abstract
Background: Pelvic organ prolapse (POP) is a dynamic disorder that affects the entire pelvic diaphragm. POP may often involve multiple organs. Abdominal sacrocolpopexy is considered the gold standard to treat female anterior and apical prolapse. Abdominal ventral mesh rectopexy has gained increasing acceptance as an effective treatment for rectal prolapse. The aim of the present study was to assess the safety, feasibility and 1-year outcomes of laparoscopic sacrocolpopexy plus ventral rectopexy as a combined treatment of multicompartment POP.

Methods: All female patients at our institution with anterior and apical prolapse with symptoms of obstructed defecation were examined by an urogynecologist and a colorectal surgeon, and were judged suitable for the study. Patients with Pelvic Organ Prolapse Quantification (POP-Q) system stage III and IV and concomitant rectal prolapse were treated by laparoscopic sacrocolpopexy plus ventral rectopexy. After surgery, 1- and 12-month follow-up was performed and the data were retrospectively analyzed. Patients’ symptoms were evaluated using the Female Sexual Distress Scale (FSDS), Pelvic Organ Prolapse/Urinary Incontinence Sexual Function Questionnaire (PISQ-12), and Wexner-Agachan constipation score.

Results: A total of 98 patients underwent surgery. No intraoperative or postoperative morbidity occurred. At the time of follow-up, all women expressed great satisfaction with the surgical treatment: all the patients had at most POP-Q Stage 1 and 78.8% had a Patient Global Impression of Improvement (PGI-I) score < 3. Significant improvement of symptoms related to POP and to obstructed defecation syndrome, as shown by the FSDS, PISQ-12, and Wexner-Agachan constipation score, was observed in all patients at follow-up CONCLUSIONS: Laparoscopic sacrocolpopexy with ventral rectopexy is a feasible and safe procedure for the combined surgical management of anterior, apical, and posterior prolapse, and provides excellent objective and subjective outcomes. Keywords: Laparoscopy; Obstructed defecation; Pelvic organ prolapse; Rectal prolapse; Sacrocolpopexy; Ventral rectopexy.

A Serventi

Tech Coloprctol 2020; 24(6): 613.

De Simone V, Goglia M, Litta F, Ratto C

Tech Coloproctol 2020; 24(7): 771-772.

Giamundo P

Tech Coloproctol 2020; 24(7): 663-665.

Regusci L, Fasolini F, Meinero P, Caccia G, Ruggeri G, Serati M, Braga A

Tech Coloproctol 2020; 24(7): 741-746.

Abstract
Background: The aim of this study was to assess the 3-year objective and subjective outcomes of patients with complex anorectal fistula treated with Video-Assisted Anal Fistula Treatment (VAAFT). Furthermore, we evaluated the risk factors associated with recurrence.

Methods: All consecutive patients with complex anorectal fistula who underwent VAAFT in Beata Vergine Hospital of Mendrisio, Switzerland, from January 2013 to January 2016, were enrolled. Patients with suspicion or diagnosis of Crohn’s disease, malignancy, previous history of radiotherapy or radical pelvic surgery were excluded. Preoperative clinical assessment based upon medical history, physical examination and endosonography, was performed in all patients. Data regarding subjective outcomes (the Patient Global Impression of Improvement, patient satisfaction scores and Wexner score), objective cure rate (absence of fistula at clinical examination), and adverse events were collected during follow-up. Uni and multivariate analysis were performed to investigate outcomes.

Results: One hundred and four patients had VAAFT. At 3-year follow-up, 96 patients (92.3%) were available for the evaluation. At 3 years after surgery, 81 of 96 patients (84.4%) declared themselves cured (p = 0.60). Similarly, at 3-year evaluation, 80 of 96 patients (83.3%) were objectively cured (p = 0.52). No serious intraoperative or postoperative complications were reported. All recurrences were treated with a repeat VAAFT procedure resulting in a complete healing. Uni and multivariate analysis of variables potentially involved in the failure of VAAFT showed that age ≥ 50 years was the only factor associated at risk of recurrence.

Conclusions: VAAFT is a highly effective safe procedure for the treatment of anorectal fistula, with a low recurrence rate at 3-year follow-up. However, our study demonstrated that age ≥ 50 years is a risk factor for failure of VAAFT.

Keywords: Anorectal fistula; Fistuloscopy; Rectum; VAAFT.