Anatomical derangements after failed PSARP: correlating MRI and operative findings

Background Redo surgery for anorectal anomalies (ARA) may be considered a special category of reconstructive surgery with less predictable outcomes. In this report, we studied anatomical derangements in a group of boys following a previously complicated PSARP procedure, in addition to the effect of reoperation on rectifying this distorted anatomy. Results The study included 27 boys who were re-operated after a previous complicated PSARP. Included cases were divided into two groups: group A (14 cases) was referred before colostomy closure with an obviously complicated primary operation, and group B (13 cases) was referred with delayed complications after colostomy closure. Pelvic MRI examinations were performed before reoperation in 19 cases. In nine of these cases, a repeat MRI examination was performed at follow-up after reoperation to study the effect of redo surgery on rectifying the distorted anatomy. Abnormal wide anorectal angle and wide pelvic hiatus were common anatomical derangements after a previously complicated PSARP. An important goal of reoperation was reconstruction of the levator ani behind the anorectum trying to create a more acute anorectal angle and a narrower pelvic hiatus. The success of this corrective step was evaluated by MRI comparing pre- and postoperative measurements that showed a favourable decrease in the values of anorectal angle and hiatal/PC ratio. Improvement of faecal continence was documented after reoperation in 8 out of 10 cases in group B. Conclusion A wide pelvic hiatus was a frequently encountered postsurgical complication after failed PSARP that has most probably resulted from poor reconstruction of the pelvic floor at time of the primary repair. Re-approximation of the split halves of levator ani in the midline behind the anorectum at reoperation can help to correct the distorted internal anatomy and improve bowel control in these cases.

Minimally invasive surgery of faecal incontinence with autologous fat injection in children

BACKGROUND: Faecal incontinence as a result of chronic functional constipation is a common problem among children. This condition is socially unacceptable. There is no clear consensus of a universally accepted pathogenesis, diagnostics, and optimal treatment for this condition. New methods of surgical treatment are necessary for accelerated normalization of the retaining faeces process and resolution of faecal incontinence in children. THE AIM: The study was aimed to analyze the efficiency of the new minimally invasive surgery method of the anal sphincter complex restoring with autologous fat injection in children. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The examined group included 31 patients aged from 4 to 17. The patients had chronic constipation combined with faecal incontinence more than once per week. All of them had no lesions of the anal sphincter and pelvic floor muscles. All patients underwent outpatient and inpatient treatment from 2016 to 2019. Patients underwent computed tomographic colonography with virtual colonoscopy in addition to general clinical methods, ultrasound and irrigoscopy. Minimally invasive surgery with autologous fat injection was performed to correct anorectal angle in the following conditions: ineffective nonsurgical treatment for 4-6 months, lengthening of puborectalis muscles, increasing of the anorectal angle more than 100 degrees. RESULTS: We analyzed the complaints of the patients who underwent minimally invasive surgery. The study showed reducing of symptoms severity of chronic constipation up to complete normalization of defecation frequency after surgery (34.5%) in 3 months. The study also showed the complete absence of fecal incontinence in 3 months after this minimally invasive treatment in 83 per cent of children. CONCLUSION: The retrorectal injection of autologous fat leads to fast resolution of faecal incontinence, normalization of defecation frequency and improvement of the life quality as a result.

Rare case of rectovaginal fistula in adults

Rectovaginal fistula is an abnormal epithelial lined connection between the rectum and the vagina. The term anovaginal fistula may also be used when the internal fistula opening is found below the anorectal angle. Bowel contents leak through the fistula, allowing gas or stool to pass through the vagina. It may be congenital or acquired. Congenitally these are the anorectal malformations which affect the females when present since birth. Here, we have discussed the cases of adult rectovaginal fistula which the women had developed after vaginal delivery, the obstetric fistula. Patient presented with passage of stool from the vagina after the delivery. They were examined, assessed was successfully treated in our institution. Depending on the site of fistula formation, decision is taken for surgical approach and various techniques. Here the well-known Martius flap, which is based on bulbocavernosa muscle and pudendal artery has been used in both the cases. This flap is best used to repair fistula in the perineal region when there is no underlying sphincter defect.

Characterizing Pelvic-Floor Muscle Function and Morphometry in Survivors of Gynecological Cancer Who Have Dyspareunia: A Comparative Cross-Sectional Study

ABSTRACT Objective More than half of gynecological cancer survivors are affected by pain during sexual intercourse, also known as dyspareunia. Oncological treatments may result in pelvic floor muscle (PFM) alterations, which are suspected to play a key role in dyspareunia. However, to date, no study has investigated PFM function and morphometry in this population. The aim of the study was to characterize and compare PFM function and morphometry between gynecological cancer survivors with dyspareunia and asymptomatic women. Methods Twenty-four gynecological cancer survivors with dyspareunia and 32 women with a history of total hysterectomy but without pelvic pain (asymptomatic women) participated in this comparative cross-sectional study. PFM passive forces (tone), flexibility, stiffness, maximal strength, coordination and endurance were assessed with an intra-vaginal dynamometric speculum. Bladder neck position, levator plate angle, anorectal angle and levator hiatal dimensions were measured at rest and on maximal contraction with 3D/4D transperineal ultrasound imaging. Results Compared to asymptomatic women, gynecological cancer survivors showed heightened PFM tone, lower flexibility, higher stiffness, lower coordination and endurance (p ˂ .03). At rest, they had a smaller anorectal angle and smaller levator hiatal dimensions (p ˂ .05), indicating heightened PFM tone. They also presented fewer changes from rest to maximal contraction for anorectal angle and levator hiatal dimensions (p ˂ .03), suggesting an elevated tone or altered contractile properties. Conclusions Gynecological cancer survivors with dyspareunia present with altered PFM function and morphometry. This research provides therefore a better understanding of the underlying mechanisms of dyspareunia in cancer survivors. Impact Our study confirms alterations in PFM function and morphometry in gynecological cancer survivors with dyspareunia. These findings support the rationale for developing and assessing the efficacy of physical therapy targeting PFM alterations in this population.

Anorectal angle at rest predicting successful sacral nerve stimulation in idiopathic fecal incontinence—a cohort analysis

Purpose Sacral nerve stimulation is an effective treatment for patients suffering from fecal incontinence. However, less is known about predictors of success before stimulation. The purpose of this study was to identify predictors of successful sacral nerve stimulation in patients with idiopathic fecal incontinence. Methods Consecutive female patients, receiving peripheral nerve evaluation and sacral nerve stimulation between September 2008 and October 2014, suffering from idiopathic fecal incontinence were included in this study. Preoperative patient’s characteristics, anal manometry, and defecography results were collected prospectively and investigated by retrospective analysis. Main outcome measures were independent predictors of treatment success after sacral nerve stimulation. Results From, all in all, 54 patients suffering from idiopathic fecal incontinence receiving peripheral nerve evaluation, favorable outcome was achieved in 23 of 30 patients after sacral nerve stimulation (per protocol 76.7%; intention to treat 42.6%). From all analyzed characteristics, wide anorectal angle at rest in preoperative defecography was the only independent predictor of favorable outcome in multivariate analysis (favorable 134.1 ± 13.9° versus unfavorable 118.6 ± 17.1°). Conclusions Anorectal angle at rest in preoperative defecography might present a predictor of outcome after sacral nerve stimulation in patients with idiopathic fecal incontinence.

Necessity of early correction of anal-coccygeal ligaments in traumatic damage to a coccyx

In order to prevent and correct the defecation disorders after destruction of the anococcygeal ligament, the meth-od of restoring its functional capacity was proposed (Patent of Ukraine for Invention No. 115280 “Method for Coccyx Re-moving”). It is proved that the damaging effect in the area of the traction and contraction mechanism of action on the rectum in 90.0% leads to continence disorders due to changes in the size of the anorectal angle due to the persistent disorders of the anococcygeal ligament function. The developed special mathematical model of the anococcygeal ligament function testifies that, when it is destroyed, the change in the anorectal angle value may reach changes in its value up to ≈63°, which distorts the direction of the anal canal and the distal rectum. Restoration by simulating of the anatomical fixation of anococcygeal ligament connection after its damage creates conditions for resto-ration of its physiological functioning.

Defecography in contemporary coloproctological diagnostics

Evacuatory difficulty is a common problem covering a large spectrum of disorders, from constipation to faecal incontinence. In addition to a visit to a surgeon-proctologist, the diagnosis of impaired defecation often requires urological and gynaecological evaluation. Many pathologies causing evacuatory difficulty, such as full thickness rectal prolapse, reduced sphincter tone and haemorrhoidal disease, can be detected by clinicians already at the stage of physical examination. A large group of pathologies may be detected using standard diagnostic techniques such as colonoscopy and pelvic imaging, e.g. computed tomography, magnetic resonance, and transabdominal/transrectal/transvaginal ultrasonography. However, certain abnormalities are only visible during functional pelvic examination. These include rectocele, sigmoidocele, enterocele, internal intussusception, cystocele, and spastic pelvic floor syndrome. Defecography is guided by either X-ray or MRI. Pelvic function may be also assessed using transperineal ultrasonography. Defecography involves 4 phases: rest, forced contraction, strain, and defecation. The anorectal angle and, in the case of MRI, the PCL line (which is a reference point for most measurements), are determined in order to evaluate the position and mobility of pelvic organs. Pelvic function evaluation helps differentiate patients with evacuatory difficulties requiring surgical intervention from those who need conservative treatment (exercises, electrostimulation). Furthermore, it helps choose an appropriate technique and surgical access, as well as select patients requiring a more interdisciplinary approach.