Risk factors for developing anorectal dysfunction after anterior resection

Background Anterior resection (AR) may result in defecatory dysfunction and the cause is multifactorial. The aim was to explore if dysfunction could be related to the part of the colon used for anastomosis (sigmoid or descending) and to identify other possible risk factors for bowel dysfunction after AR. Methods This is a retrospective study based on prospectively registered data from a regional registry at the surgical department in Västmanland 1996–2019. Bowel function was registered at 1 year after AR or after stoma reversal. In total, 470 stage I–III rectal cancer patients had AR whereof 412 were included in this study. Results Clustering was seen in 57%, incontinence 29%, urgency 22%, and evacuatory dysfunction 16%. The part of the colon used for anastomosis, level of vascular tie, and gender were not significantly associated with defecatory dysfunction. The higher the anastomotic level, the lower the risk of incontinence (OR 0.75; CI 0.63–0.90; p < 0.001) and clustering (OR 0.78; CI 0.67–0.90; p < 0.001). Compared with patients without a loop-ileostomy, an increased risk of clustering (OR 1.89; 1.08–3.31; p = 0.03), incontinence (OR 2.48; 1.29–4.77; p < 0.01), and urgency (OR 4.61; CI 2.02–10.60; p < 0.001) was seen after loop-ileostomy closure. Preoperative radiotherapy had a negative impact on continence and clustering seen mainly in the unadjusted analysis. Conclusion The part of the colon used for anastomosis was not a significantly associated functional outcome after anterior resection. Low anastomotic level and having had a diverting ileostomy were independent risk factors associated with negative functional outcomes.

Surgical repair of an obstetric cloaca with review of the literature

A complete perineal wound breakdown of a fourth degree laceration leading to a cloaca is a rare but devastating complication of vaginal childbirth. A 32-year-old primiparous woman presented with an obstetric cloaca 4 months following delivery. She underwent preoperative evaluation and, following extensive counselling, elected to proceed with operative repair. The procedure is presented in 15 well-defined steps with photos. The repair was performed in standard fashion with three supplementary steps. These included: (1) division of the rectovaginal tissue into three distinct layers; (2) attachment of these layers individually to the reconstructed perineal body and sphincter and (3) incorporation of the levator muscles into the repair. The wound healed well within 6 weeks of repair. Now 3½ years postoperatively, the patient has no faecal incontinence or sexual dysfunction and only minimal defecatory dysfunction. The discussion describes our surgical approach in the context of a review of the literature.

Prevalence of voiding and defecatory dysfunction in postmenopausal women with pelvic organ prolapse: a prospective observational study

Background: Primary objective of this work was to study the prevalence of voiding and defecatory dysfunction in women with pelvic organ prolapse and correlate the stage and compartment of prolapse with voiding and defecatory dysfunction. The secondary objective was to correlate stage of prolapse with flow rate and post void residue and to study the voiding dysfunction in pelvic organ prolapse.Methods: A prospective observational cohort study in 120 post-menopausal women scheduled for vaginal hysterectomy pelvic floor repair. Short form of pelvic floor distress inventory (PFDI-20) and International prostate symptom questionnaire I-PSS score for Lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS)was employed.Results: The prevalence of voiding dysfunction in this study was 78% and defecatory dysfunction was 77%. Higher stage of prolapse had significant correlation with voiding dysfunction. (P value was 0.028). Women with posterior compartment defect had more voiding dysfunction with the significant P value (p value was 0.04). Pre-operative voiding dysfunction resolved post operatively in 86%, the p<0.000 which was highly significant.Conclusions: Women with pelvic organ prolapse had high prevalence of voiding and defecatory dysfunction. Stages of prolapse have positive correlation with voiding dysfunction. Pre-operative voiding dysfunction resolved after vaginal hysterectomy and pelvic floor repair.

Diet Advancement after Weight Loss Surgery

Diet advancement after bariatric surgery has not been standardized across various bariatric programs. It is generally agreed that patients should advance through a textured progression while the gastrointestinal tract heals; however, the content of each diet stage is open for interpretation. The postoperative diet is intended to promote healing and weight loss while minimizing diet-related complications. This review presents the literature regarding the progression of patients through a postoperative bariatric surgery diet, macro- and micronutrient needs in the early postoperative period, and management of common diet-related complications, including nausea, dumping syndrome, gastroesophageal reflux disease, and defecatory dysfunction. This review contains 5 tables and 45 references Key words: Bariatric surgery, bariatric surgery diet, postoperative diet, macro-nutrient needs, micro-nutrient needs, diet-related complications