Combined application of chondroitinase ABC and photobiomodulation with low-intensity laser on the anal sphincter repair in rabbit

Background Photobiomodulation with low-intensity laser (LIL) and chondroitinase ABC (ChABC) can repair damaged muscle tissue, so the aim of this study was to investigate the effect of co-administration of these two factors on anal sphincter repair in rabbits. Methods Male rabbits were studied in 5 groups (n = 7): Control (intact), sphincterotomy, laser, ChABC and laser + ChABC. 90 days after intervention were evaluated resting and maximum squeeze pressures, number of motor units, collagen amount, markers of muscle regeneration and angiogenesis. Results Resting pressure in the Laser + ChABC group was higher than the sphincterotomy, laser and ChABC groups (p < 0.0001). Maximum squeeze pressure in the all study groups was higher than sphincterotomy group (p < 0.0001). In the laser + ChABC and ChABC groups, motor unit numbers were more than the sphincterotomy group (p < 0.0001). Collagen content was significantly decreased in the laser (p < 0.0001) and laser + ChABC groups. ACTA1 (p = 0.001) and MHC (p < 0.0001) gene expression in the Laser + ChABC group were more than the laser or ChABC alone. VEGFA (p = 0.009) and Ki67 mRNA expression (p = 0.01) in the Laser + ChABC group were more than the laser group, But vimentin mRNA expression (p < 0.0001) was less than the laser group. Conclusion Co-administration of ChABCs and photobiomodulation with LIL appears to improve the tissue structure and function of the anal sphincter in rabbits more than when used alone.

Fistulotomy with Primary Sphincter Repair in High Anal Fistula

Background Anal fistula is abnormal communication between the anal canal and the perianal skin or perineum or buttocks. Anal fistula is almost always a consequence of an anorectal abscess that was drained. While the abscess represents the acute phase of the disease, fistula represents the chronic phase as the fistulous pathway may persist in about 1/3 of cases. Aim of the Work In this study we will perform fistulotomy with primary sphincter repair in high cryptoglandular fistula with assessment of recurrence rate, incontinence rate and patient satisfaction according to pain score, wound healing, discharge and return to daily activity parameters. Methods This was prospective cohort study on 30 patients of high peri-anal fistulae and fistulotomy and reconstruction (primary suture repair) of anal sphincter was done., the patients were followed up 6 months postoperatively regarding their continence using Wexner score, recurrence, discharge and their return to work by scheduled outpatient clinical examination. Results Among 30 patients only three patients complaining usual incontinence mostly as post defecation soiling. Three patients reported anal fistula recurrence: One occurred at the 5th month, while the other two occurred at the 6th month after surgery. The procedure was well tolerated by the patients as most of them complaining only minimal pain and returned to work after two weeks without need of other stage like other procedures. Conclusion Fistulotomy with primary sphincter repair is an effective therapeutic option for patients with high anal fistula. Our study demonstrated that immediate reconstruction of the sphincters after fistulotomy achieved high success rates and low risk of postoperative fecal incontinence, compared to reported rates after simple fistulotomy.

New techniques in the repair of anal sphincter between success and failure

Background Fecal incontinence is a frequent and debilitating condition that may result from a multitude of different causes. It is defined as the uncontrolled passage of faeces or gas over at least 1 month’s duration, in an individual of at least 4 years of age, who had previously achieved control. Aim of Work to evaluate the outcome of overlap anal sphincter repair as regard the anal continence and postoperative complications. Patients and Methods this is a prospective clinical trial was conducted on thirty (30) patients presented to Ain-Shams University hospitals with anal sphincter injury that were operated upon by a modified overlap repair done by the same surgical team. Endoanal ultrasonography was done and Wexner continence score was estimated for all cases preoperatively and postoperatively. All patients sharing in the study were fully informed about the procedure they had with a written informed consent. Results In this study the mean preoperative Wexner score was 12.9 and the mean postoperative Wexner was 4.8; this reduction was found to be significant (p value=0.001). Also endoanal ultrasound showed that tear size significantly reduced among the studied cases(p value=0.001). Conclusion from this study that overlapping sphincter repair is an effective method in the treatment of faecal incontinence in patients with repairable sphincter defects. However, long term follow up is required to confirm its efficacy.

End-to-end anal Sphincter Repair in Treatment of Post-traumatic Fecal Incontinence

The present report describes the end-to-end technique of anal sphincter repair in a 36-year-old female patient with post-vaginal delivery fecal incontinence (FI). The patient had a history of two vaginal deliveries and the symptoms of FI were observed after the second delivery. On assessment of the severity of FI using the Wexner incontinence score, the patient had a score of 12. Endoanal ultrasonography revealed an anterior defect of the external anal sphincter extending from 11 to 3 o'clock. The patient had no previous anal surgery and did not have any medical comorbidities.The operation time was 45 minutes. No intraoperative complications were recorded. At 12 months of follow-up, the patient showed significant improvement in the continence state, with her Wexner score dropping to 4. No postoperative complications were recorded. We can conclude that end-to-end anal sphincter repair is a technically feasible operation that confers satisfactory improvement in the continence state without imposing much tension on the site of sphincter repair.

Multimodal Management of Traumatic Faecal Incontinence Focused on Sphincteroplasty: Long-term Outcomes From a Single Center Case Series

Background: The management of patients with fecal incontinence and an external anal sphincter (EAS) defect remains controversial.Methods: We present a retrospective series of overlapping anal sphincteroplasties performed between 1985-2013 by a single surgeon supplemented by selective puborectalis plication and internal anal sphincter repair. Patients were clinically followed along with anorectal manometry, continence scoring (Cleveland Clinic Incontinence Score - CCS) and patient satisfaction scales. Patients with a suboptimal outcome were managed with combinations of biofeedback therapy, (BFT) peripheral tibial nerve stimulation (PTNS), sacral nerve stimulation (SNS) or repeat sphincteroplasty.Results: There were 120 anterior sphincter repairs with 90 (75%) levatorplasties and 84 (70%) IAS repairs. Over a median follow-up of 120 months (range 60-173.7 months) there were significant improvements in the recorded CCIS values (90.8% with a preoperative CCIS > 15 vs. 2.5% postoperatively; P < 0.001). There were 42 patients who required ancillary treatment with 4 repeat sphincteroplasties, 35 patients undergoing biofeedback therapy, 10 patients treated with PTNS and 3 managed with SNS implants with an ultimate good functional outcome in 92.9% of cases. No difference was noted in ultimate functional outcome between those treated with sphincteroplasty alone compared with those who needed ancillary treatments (97.1% vs. 85.7%, respectively). Overall, 93.3% considered the outcome as either good or excellent.Conclusions: Long-term functional outcomes of an overlapping sphincteroplasty are good. If the initial outcome is suboptimal, response to ancillary treatments remains good and patients are not compromised by a first-up uncomplicated sphincter repair.

Short- and Long-Term Outcomes of Overlap Anal Sphincter Repair for Fecal Incontinence Following Sphincter Injury

Objective Several techniques are used to repair the anal sphincter following injury. The aim of the present study is to comprehensively analyze the short- and long-term outcomes of overlap repair following anal sphincter injury. Methods A search was conducted in the PubMed, Medline, Embase, Scopus and Google Scholar databases between January 2000 and January 2020. Studies that described the outcomes that are specific to overlap sphincter repair for fecal incontinence with a minimum follow-up period of one year were selected. Results A total of 22 studies described the outcomes of overlap sphincter repair. However, 14 studies included other surgical techniques in addition to overlap repair, and were excluded from the analysis. Finally, data from 8 studies including 429 repairs were analyzed. All studies used at least one objective instrument; however, there was significant heterogeneity among them. Most patients were female (n = 407; 94.87%) and the mean age of the included individuals was 44.6 years. The majority of the procedures were performed due to obstetric injuries (n = 384; 89.51%). The eight included studies described long-term outcomes, and seven of them demonstrated statistically significant improvements regarding the continence; one study described poor outcomes in terms of overall continence. The long-term scores were significantly better compared with the preoperative scores. However, compared with the short-term scores, a statistically significant deterioration was noted in the long-term. Conclusion The majority of the studies described good long-term outcomes in terms of anal continence after overlap sphincter repair. However, further studies are needed to identify the factors associated with poor outcomes to assist in patient selection for overlap repair.

Surgical Treatment Alternatives to Sacral Neuromodulation for Fecal Incontinence: Injectables, Sphincter Repair, and Colostomy

Fecal incontinence is a prevalent health problem that affects over 20% of healthy women. Many surgical treatment options exist for fecal incontinence after attempts at non-operative management. In this article, the authors discuss surgical treatment options for fecal incontinence other than sacral neuromodulation.