Idiopathic Pruritus Ani and Acute Perianal Dermatitis

This article reviews the etiologies, pathophysiology, clinical evaluation, and treatment of idiopathic pruritus ani and perianal dermatitis. It underscores a practical approach to each of these common proctologic conditions.

Realimentación por estoma distal en una serie de casos de niños con ileostomía: un posible método para facilitar la restitución del tránsito intestinal

OBJETIVO: exponer y describir una técnica de realimentación en niños con ileostomía que permite aumentar la curva de crecimiento y disminuir las dehiscencias anastomóticas y dermatitis posoperatoria.MATERIAL Y MÉTODOS: estudio retrospectivo de serie de casos de pacientes con ileostomía tratados con la técnica de realimentación de estoma distal, previa a la restitución del tránsito intestinal, atendidos durante el año 2014. Se revisó el padecimiento que condicionó la derivación, la edad y peso al inicio de la realimentación, ganancia ponderal, duración de la realimentación, hallazgos macroscópicos en el cierre de ileostomía y repercusiones posoperatorias.RESULTADOS: se estudiaron siete pacientes, cuatro de ellos tuvieron atresia intestinal, uno sospecha de enfermedad de Hirschsprung, otro enterocolitis y otro sufrimiento intestinal postinvaginación. La realimentación se inició a una edad media de 5 meses de vida y peso medio de 4.4 kg. La ganancia ponderal fue de 0.7 kg al mes, en promedio, (rango 0.36-1.4 kg al mes). No se encontró desproporción entre los cabos. No hubo ninguna dehiscencia anastomótica ni dermatitis perianal posoperatoria. Luego del seguimiento durante dos años, seis pacientes tienen curva ponderal y talla normal para su edad.CONCLUSIONES: la realimentación es una técnica fácil, segura y barata que permite aumentar la ganancia ponderal del paciente, evitar la atrofia del segmento intestinal, disminuir la pérdida de líquidos y electrólitos y preparar el intestino distal para la futura anastomosis.PALABRAS CLAVE: realimentación; estoma; ileostomía; cierre de la ileostomía; atresia intestinal; intestino. Abstract OBJECTIVE: To present and describe a feedback technique in children with ileostomy that allows to increase the growth curve and decrease anastomotic dehiscence and postoperative dermatitis.MATERIAL AND METHODS: We present 7 patients with ileostomy, treated with the refeeding technique during 2014 in the ColorectalCenter. We review why the derivation was performed, the age and the weight when the refeeding was begun, the weight gained, how long the refeeding was carried out, the macroscopic findings during the ileostomy closure and the outcome.RESULTS: Four patients had intestinal atresia, 1 patient was suspected of Hirschsprung's disease, one had necrotizing enterocolitis and another had an intestinal intussusception with intestinal damage. The refeeding was begun at 5 months old on average and with 4.4kg on average. The weight gain was 0.7kg per month on average (range 0.36- 1.4kg per month). We found no disproportion between the bowel segments. There was neither anastomotic dehiscence nor postoperative perianal dermatitis. After 2 years of follow-up, 6 patients have normal weight curve and normal height curve for their age.CONCLUSIONS: The refeeding is an easy, safe and inexpensive technique to increase the patient weight gain, to prevent the atrophy of the intestinal segment, to reduce fluid and electrolyte loss and to prepare the bowel for the future intestinal anastomosis.KEY WORDS: refeeding; stoma; intestinal; ileostomy; ileostomy closure; intestinal atresia, bowel.

Perianal Dermatitis, Its Incidence, and Patterns of Topical Therapies in a Level IV Neonatal Intensive Care Unit

Objective To define the incidence of perianal dermatitis (PD) and determine the usage pattern and cost efficacy of diaper products among neonates admitted to a level IV neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) including those with a diagnosis of neonatal abstinence syndrome (NAS). Methods A retrospective cohort study to evaluate neonates with PD based on number of orders for Aquaphor, Bagbalm, Desitin, Flanders, or Nystatin. Various demographic and clinical parameters were recorded. Usage patterns of these five products were analyzed, and their costs estimated. Subgroup analysis was performed among infants with NAS. Results Of 1,241 admissions, 56.2% had at least one diaper product ordered during their NICU stay, while 52.6% had multiple products ordered. Only 23.0% of all neonates had appropriate documentation of PD. The most common product ordered first was Aquaphor (64.3%), followed by Desitin (19.2%). Note that 86% term NAS infants had PD compared with 28% term non-NAS infants. The estimated product cost was $14,139 over 2 years, averaging $20 per patient. Conclusion Over half of NICU neonates were exposed to one or more diaper products, usually without documented PD diagnosis. Term NAS infants had three times higher incidence of PD than term non-NAS infants. The cost of diaper product use was significant, and possibly underestimated due to lack of documentation.