Effectiveness and Prognosis: Drainage Skin-Bridge Sparing Surgery Combined with Fistulotomy versus Fistulotomy Only in the Treatment of Anal Fistula

Objective. This study intends to analyze the difference in the efficacy of drainage skin-bridge sparing surgery combined fistulotomy (DSCF) and fistulotomy alone. Methods. 125 patients with anal fistula were enrolled as study subjects and randomly divided into control group (CG) and observation group (OG) by double-blind lottery. The CG received drainage skin-bridge sparing surgery with fistulotomy and the OG received fistulotomy only. Results. The VAS scores of the trauma in the OG were lower than those in the CG on 1st day of surgery and 7 days after surgery ( P < 0.05 ). The length of hospital stay and time to wound healing were shorter in the OG than in the CG ( P < 0.05 ). The incidence of postoperative bleeding in the OG was 9.52%, which was lower than 22.58% in the CG ( P < 0.05 ). The rectal examination scores were lower in the OG than in the CG at 3 and 5 days postoperatively ( P < 0.05 ). The Wexner scores of solid incontinence (0 to 4), liquid incontinence (0 to 4), gas incontinence (0 to 4), pad wearing (0 to 4), and lifestyle alteration (0 to 4) in the OG were lower than those of the CG at 5 days postoperatively ( P < 0.05 ). Voiding function scores were lower in the OG than in the CG at 2 and 3 days postoperatively ( P < 0.05 ). Conclusions. The efficacy of drainage skin-bridge sparing surgery combined fistulotomy is better than that of fistulotomy alone, which can accelerate postoperative healing, enhance urinary function, reduce postoperative bleeding, and improve anal function.

Clinical Efficacy of Different Approaches for Laparoscopic Intersphincteric Resection of Low Rectal Cancer: A Comparison Study

Background: The operative results of different approaches for the laparoscopic intersphincteric resection (LAISR) of low rectal cancer vary, and the patient characteristics associated with the best outcomes for each procedure have not been reported. We compared the efficacy of different approaches for LAISR of low rectal cancer and discussed the surgical indications for each approach.Methods: We retrospectively reviewed data from 235 patients with low rectal cancer treated via LAISR from October 2010 to September 2016. Patients underwent either the transabdominal approach for ISR (TAISR, n=142), the transabdominal perineal approach for ISR (TPAISR, n=57), or the transanal pull-through approach for ISR (PAISR, n=36).Results: The PAISR and TAISR groups exhibited shorter operation times and less intraoperative blood loss than the TPAISR group. The anastomotic distance was shorter in the PAISR and TPAISR groups than in the TAISR group. No differences in the ability to perform radical resection, overall complications, postoperative recovery, Wexner score recorded 12 months after ostomy closure, three-year disease-free survival, local recurrence-free survival, distant metastasis-free survival, or overall survival (OS) were observed among the three groups.Conclusions: TAISR, TPAISR, and PAISR have unique advantages and do not differ in terms of operation safety, patient outcomes, or anal function. TPAISR requires a longer time to complete and is associated with more bleeding and a slower recovery of anal function. PAISR should be considered when TAISR cannot ensure a negative distal margin and the tumor and BMI are relatively small; otherwise, TPAISR is required.

Effect of Kangfuxin Solution Fumigation Bath on Postoperative Patients with Hemorrhoid PPH and Influence on the Postoperative Complications

Surgery is now the main clinical treatment for hemorrhoids, and the procedure for prolapse and hemorrhoids (PPH) is the commonly used procedure. The key to evaluating the efficacy of surgery includes the quality of postoperative wound healing and the occurrence of complications, so it is especially important to enhance the postoperative rehabilitation of hemorrhoids. This study investigates the method of postoperative treatment with Kangfuxin solution fumigation bath to explore the role of this method in the efficacy of patients after hemorrhoid PHH surgery and its effect on postoperative complications. It will accumulate some relevant information to improve the efficacy of hemorrhoid surgery and postoperative complications and open new ideas for further postoperative rehabilitation of other diseases in the anal area. A total of 106 patients with hemorrhoids were included in this study, all of whom were treated with PHH surgery. After surgery, they were randomly divided into a control group treated with warm water sitz bath and an observation group treated with Kangfuxin solution fumigation bath, with 53 cases in each group. We observed all patients’ postoperative pain, bleeding, and perianal edema on a daily basis after surgery; we recorded the time of wound healing and hospital stay. The maximum anal squeeze pressure (MASP), anal defecation diastole pressure (ADDP), anal resting pressure (ARP), and the length of the high-pressure zone (HPZ) were used as observation indicators to evaluate the anal function of the patients before and after treatment. The results of the evaluation of the efficacy of patients after the treatment period showed that the total effective rate of treatment in the observation group (92.45%) was significantly higher than that of the control group (77.36%). The postoperative recovery showed that the wound healing time, hospitalization time, pain, bleeding, and edema scores at 3 and 5 days after surgery were lower in the observation group than in the control group; MASP and ARP increased in both groups after treatment compared to before treatment, with more increase in the observation group. The results suggest that patients with hemorrhoids after PPH should pay attention to postoperative care and rehabilitation. It also reveals that the application of Kangfuxin solution fumigation treatment has a significant effect, which can effectively reduce the patient’s wound healing and hospital stay, while improving the patient’s anal function and reducing postoperative complications, and is worthy of clinical promotion and application.

Deep Learning-Based CT Image Characteristics and Postoperative Anal Function Restoration for Patients with Complex Anal Fistula

Objective. This study aimed to optimize the CT images of anal fistula patients using a convolutional neural network (CNN) algorithm to investigate the anal function recovery. Methods. 57 patients with complex anal fistulas admitted to our hospital from January 2020 to February 2021 were selected as research subjects. Of them, CT images of 34 cases were processed using the deep learning neural network, defined as the experimental group, and the remaining unprocessed 23 cases were in the control group. Whether to process CT images depended on the patient’s own wish. The imaging results were compared with the results observed during the surgery. Results. It was found that, in the experimental group, the images were clearer, with DSC = 0.89, precision = 0.98, and recall = 0.87, indicating that the processing effects were good; that the CT imaging results in the experimental group were more consistent with those observed during the surgery, and the difference was notable ( P < 0.05 ). Furthermore, the experimental group had lower RP (mmHg), AMCP (mmHg) scores, and postoperative recurrence rate, with notable differences noted ( P < 0.05 ). Conclusion. CT images processed by deep learning are clearer, leading to higher accuracy of preoperative diagnosis, which is suggested in clinics.

Hyperbaric oxygen treatment for late low colorectal anastomosis ischaemia: Case report

Introduction: This report describes the use of hyperbaric oxygen treatment (HBOT) to treat a case of colorectal anastomosis ischaemia following colorectal surgery. Case report: A 47-year-old man developed post-operative colorectal anastomosis ischaemia with leak after laparoscopic low anterior resection for T3N0 adenocarcinoma of the rectum. The leak with concomitant ischaemia presented 17 days after surgery. HBOT was administrated in 11 sessions over three weeks and the patient followed endoscopically and radiologically for two months. At two months the anastomosis showed both endoscopic and radiological healing; therefore the ileostomy was closed. Anal function was satisfactory with no incontinence or evidence of sepsis. Conclusions: Intra-operative or late leak with concomitant ischaemia of a colorectal anastomosis is a challenging event in colorectal surgery. HBOT may be beneficial in promoting healing in selected patients. Further studies are needed to evaluate conservative treatments and the role of HBOT.

The Impact of Emergency Surgery versus Self-expanding Metallic Stents on Anal Function and Quality of Life in Patients with Complete Obstructing Left-sided Colon Cancer

Background: Emergence surgery (ES) and self-expanding metallic stents (SEMS) are traditional approaches for complete obstructing left-sided colon cancer. A strategy of “stents-chemotherapy-surgery” was applied in our center recently. Studies assessing the anal function and quality of life of patients with complete obstructing left-sided colon cancer are still lacking.Methods: Patients with complete obstructing left-sided colon cancer were included, and three treatment strategies were used, including ES, SEMS, and SEMS followed by neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NAC) for patients with complete obstructing left-sided colon cancer. The Wexner, Vaizey, and low anterior resection syndrome (LARS) scores were used to assess anal function and the EORTC QLQ C30 score was used to assess quality of life. Logistic regression analysis was used to detect risk factors affecting short-term anal function of patients.RESULTS: The Wexner scores were similar among the groups during the follow-up period. The Vaizey (H=18.415, P=0.001) and LARS scores (H=3.660, P=0.04) both revealed that anal function among patients receiving SEMS and NACwas significantly better than patients who underwent ES at the 1-month post-operative follow-up evaluation; no significant difference existed at the 6- and 12-month follow-up evaluations. The EORTC QLQ C30 score revealed that social function of patients receiving SEMS and NAC was also significantly better than patients undergoing ES (H=7.035, P=0.03). Logistic regression analysis suggested that a one-stage stoma in an emergent setting is an independent risk factor for short-term reduction of anal function among patients with complete obstructing left-sided colon cancer (OR=5.238, 95% CI: 1.569~17.484, P=0.007).Conclusion: Compared to ES, SEMS might be able to improve the quality of life and short-term anal function in patients with complete obstructing left-sided colon cancer.

Perianal Circumferential Reconstruction with Tailored Superior Gluteal Artery Perforator Flap

Reconstruction following wide excision of perianal lesion is challenging as it requires resistance to high risks of wound contamination and preservation of anal function. Here, we present a case of a unilateral superior gluteal artery perforator (SGAP) flap with an opening in the flap. A 77-year old woman was referred due to an extramammary Pagets disease encircling the anus. Wide excision was performed by the general surgeon team, which generated a circumferential perianal defect. A unilateral SGAP flap was elevated. Primary defatting was done and an opening was made at the proper location of the anus. The anal mucosa was pulled out through the hole and sutured to the flap. She was discharged without any complications. At the follow-up visit, preservation of postoperative anal functions, as well as satisfactory contour, were observed. A well-tailored unilateral SGAP flap may be a good option for reconstruction of a perianal defect encircling the anus.

A Study on the Clinical Application of Greater Omental Pedicle Flap Transplantation to Correct Anterior Resection Syndrome in Patients With Low Rectal Cancer

PurposeLow anterior resection syndrome (LARS) is the most common complication after total mesorectal excision (TME) in patients with low rectal cancer and has been a challenge in colorectal surgery that severely impacts the quality of life of patients. This study aimed to introduce a revised surgical procedure which could effectively maintain rectal compliance and significantly improve LARS after the operation.MethodsWe performed mesorectal reconstruction after routine Dixon-TME using greater omental pedicle flap transplantation in 11 patients with low rectal cancer (5 cases of preoperative neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy, 5 cases of preoperative neoadjuvant chemotherapy, and 1 case of postoperative adjuvant chemotherapy), thereby simulating the initial anatomical structure of the mesorectum and significantly reducing the postoperative anterior resection syndrome. The lars precision syndrome assessment scale (LARSS) was used to access the LARS.ResultsAt 12 weeks after the 11 patients recovered from the anal defecation function, the average score on the LARS questionnaire was 25.5 ± 0.5 (mild). The average time at which anal function began to recover was 6.2 ± 2.6 weeks after surgery. The recovery was rapid, as the rectal and anal function of all patients generally returned to normal levels within 12 weeks, and the quality of life was close to that before surgery. ConclusionGreater omental flap transplantation can significantly improve LARS after Dixon-TME in patients with low rectal cancer.