The use of a laser in treatment of hemorrhoids (review)

The literature review compares laser and traditional surgery for hemorrhoids. The efficiency and possibility of minimally invasive treatment using laser of different wavelengths were analyzed. The review described the innovative technologies of laser treatment of hemorrhoids which make this method promising.

Colonic invagination anastomosis in surgery of complicated forms of diverticular disease

AIM: to evaluate the prospects of using a colorectal invaginated anastomosis in patients with complicated diverticular disease (CDD).PATIENTS AND METHODS: during the period from 2014 to 2020, colorectal invaginated anastomosis, was used in 42 patients: 18 patients with CDD and 20 patients with colorectal cancer for stoma closure after Hartmann’s procedure. The comparison group consisted of 24 patients with CDD and 20 patients with colorectal cancer for stoma closure after Hartmann’s procedure: colorectal anastomosis was created here using traditional double-row handsewn technique. All patients underwent surgery with open access, while the primary anastomosis was performed in 20 (47.6%) patients, and in 22 (52.4%) patients of the group underwent stoma takedown.RESULTS: no anastomosis leakage developed in the main group. Moreover, the presence of single small diverticula with a diameter of 2–3 mm near the area of the anastomosis was not an indication to extend the resection borders. In the control group, in 13 (54.2%) patients, small diverticula were detected in the anastomosis are as well and required to expand the proximal border of resection. In this group, anastomosis leakage occurred in 2 (6.8%) patients with diverticular disease and required Hartmann’s procedure.CONCLUSION: the colorectal invaginated anastomosis is justified for patients with CDD during stoma takedown because it minimizes the risk of anastomosis leakage.

The effectiveness of combined topical product with fluocortolone pivalate and lidocaine for hemorrhoids: results of a multicenter observational study

AIM: to assess the changes in hemorrhoids symptoms and satisfaction with treatment against the background of treatment with a combined topical product Relief® Pro.PATIENTS AND METHODS: multicenter prospective non-interventional cohort study was done in 13 clinical centers in Russia. The study included patients aged 18 to 65 years with acute hemorrhoids of stages 1–2 treated with the combined product Relief® Pro (rectal suppositories, cream or a combination thereof). The follow-up period was up to 14 days (in the case of 2 visits to the clinical center after receiving the initial data). The analysis was performed on the basis of data obtained at Visit 2 (5–7 days of therapy) and Visit 3 (10–14 days of therapy) vs the initial data (Visit 1). Following criteria were used: the severity of hemorrhoid symptoms on the Sodergren scale, the severity of hemorrhoid symptoms (pain, bleeding, itching, edema, the presence of discharge, a feeling of discomfort), the size of the largest hemorrhoid node, the satisfaction of the doctor and the patient with treatment, assessment of the patient’s adherence to recommendations for lifestyle changes and treatment, evaluation of the use of the drug Relief® were evaluated as endpoints About the treatment process and patient preferences regarding the dosage form of the prescribed drug. In addition, adverse events were evaluated.RESULTS: the study included 1000 patients aged 18 to 65 years (men — 54.5%, women — 45.5%) Patients had grade 1 acute hemorrhoids (330 patients), grade 2 acute hemorrhoids (345 patients) and exacerbation of chronic hemorrhoids (325 patients). The drug Relief® Pro rectal cream was used by 333 patients; suppositories — 383 patients; joint therapy with both dosage forms — 284 patients. During follow-up (visits 2 and 3), positive dynamics was observed in patients — a decrease in the severity of hemorrhoid symptoms both during objective examination and according to patient questionnaires. So, according to the patients’ estimates, the use of Relief® Pro, regardless of the form, led to a decrease in the severity or disappearance of the main symptoms of hemorrhoids — bleeding, itching, edema, the presence of discharge, discomfort already by Visit 2 and in almost all patients by the end of observation. A similar change of the symptoms due the digital examination: by day 5–7, the severity of edema and bleeding in the perianal region, bleeding decreased. About 96% of patients and about 97% of doctors were satisfied with the treatment. Application of both forms of Relief® The ABM was characterized by good tolerability: there were no adverse events associated, according to the researcher, with the studied drug.CONCLUSIONS: combined topical product Relief® Pro is effective for hemorrhoids.

Анальная трещина

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Laparoscopic right colectomy with intracorporeal ileotransverse anastomosis (results of the pilot study)

AIM: to evaluate the safety of intra- and extracorporeal ileotransverse anastomosis in laparoscopic right hemicolectomy.PATIENTS AND METHODS: a pilot «case-control» study included two groups of patients, who underwent laparoscopic right colectomy according to a standardized technique. An intracorporeal anastomosis (IA) was formed in the main group (n = 20), in the control group — extracorporeal anastomosis (EA) (n = 18).RESULTS: in main group the postoperative complications rate was 20%, in the control group — 28% (p = 0.71). The postoperative hospital stay in the main group was significantly less than in control (5.0 vs 7.3 days) (p < 0.001).CONCLUSION: the postoperative complications rate in both groups was not significant, but postoperative hospital stay was shorter in IA group. A randomized controlled trial is required.

Rectal gastric heteroptopia in a child. Case-report of casuistic pathology

Heterotopy of gastric mucosa in the rectum in children is a rare malformation to keep in mind when examining a child with a rectal bleeding. About 5 such clinical cases in children were described in the literature over the past 10 years. This condition is congenital, due to impaired tissue differentiation during embriogenesis. This case-report demonstrates the diagnostics and treatment of a child with rectal gastric heteroptopia.

Computer tomography in diagnostics and treatment of inflammatory complications of diverticular disease of the colon

AIM: to evaluate the role of computed tomography (CT) in the treatment and diagnostic algorithm in patients with complicated diverticular disease (CDD).PATIENTS AND METHODS: during the period from 2014 to 2020, 165 hospitalized patients with complications of CDD included in the study. Fifteen (9.1%) patients were hospitalized for elective indications and 150 (90.9%) as emergencies. The indications for hospitalization were inflammatory complications of CDD. Computed tomography with intravenous contrast was performed in 89 (53.9%) patients. The study was performed on a 64-slice CT “Philips Brilliance 64” with intravenous bolus injection of a low-osmolar iodine-containing contrast agent. The absence of the CT in the remaining patients is due to the presence of classical symptoms of acute diverticulitis with a previously verified diagnosis of CDD, the presence of an informative transabdominal ultrasound, as well as the refusal of patients from CT.RESULTS: the CT allowed to verify the presence of diverticula in the patients, to reveal the distinctive CT signs and pathognomonic symptoms of inflammatory complications of CDD, as well as to establish the severity of the complications that occurred. The specific signs of the destruction of the diverticulum and the complications developed were abdominal mass, abscess, peritonitis, and fistula. Besides the diagnostic value, CT scan permitted to choose the treatment approach and to clarify indications for surgery. Besides that, some CDD complications revealed by CT were considered as a predictor of ineffectiveness of conservative treatment, which requires surgery.CONCLUSION: CT is a valuable diagnostic method for CDD which allows to determine timely the clinical form of inflammatory complication, to find out indications for surgery and to predict high risk of recurrence.

New morphological risk factors for metastasis to regional lymph nodes in rectal cancer with invasion into the submucosa

AIM to assess prognostic significance of pathologic features of T1 rectal carcinoma in relation to regional lymph nodes involvement (N+).MATERIAL AND METHODS: surgical specimens (n = 66) from rectal resection for carcinoma pT1 were investigated. Following prognosticators were evaluated: depth of submucosal invasion, grade of differentiation, lymphovascular invasion (LVI), tumor budding (Bd), poorly differentiated clusters (PDC) of tumor and rupture of cancer glands (CGR).RESULTS: lymph nodes metastases were found in 13 (19.7%) specimens. LVI was associated lymphatic spread in great possibility OR 38.0 95% CI 2.1-670 (p < 0.0001). Tumor budding of high grade (Bd3) OR 6.2 95% CI 1.2-31 (p < 0.0001) and poorly differentiated clusters (p = 0,03) also increased risk of lymph node metastases. Depth of submucosal invasion, grade of differentiation, and rupture of cancer glands failed to demonstrate significant association with N+. Logistic regression analysis allowed to determine LVI as independent prognostic factor of lymph node tumor involvement.CONCLUSION: lymphovascular invasion, tumor budding and poorly differentiated clusters of tumor are risk factors of T1 rectal carcinoma lymph node metastases.

Are there any advantages of 3D laparoscopic technologies in surgery for rectocele and rectal prolapse?

AIM: to assess results of 3D laparoscopic ventral mesh rectopexy versus traditional 2D laparoscopy for rectocele and rectal prolapse.PATIENTS AND METHODS: a prospective randomized study (NCT 04817150) included patients aged 18 to 70 years who underwent laparoscopic ventral mesh rectopexy for rectocele and/or rectal prolapse. The assessment included operation time, intraoperative blood loss, complications rate and their severity by Clavien-Dindo scale, the pain intensity by VAS, the volume of the fluid collection in the implant site 2–3 days and 2–3 weeks after the procedure. The surgeon’s comfort and ergonomics when using 3D systems was evaluated using POMS questionnaire. The late results were assessed by recurrence rate, functional results — by Cleveland Clinic Constipation scale score, Incontinence scale score, P-Qol, and PGII.RESULTS: the study included 29 patients of the main and 32 patients of the control group. The follow-up was 21 ± 20.3 months. One complication developed in the control group (p = 1.0). The operation time in the main group was 74.1 ± 14 minutes (87.1 ± 24.3 minutes in controls, p = 0.01). The intraoperative blood loss was 19.8 ± 9.6 ml in the main group (55 ± 39.2 ml in controls, p = 0.001). The pain intensity was significantly lower in the main group (18.0 vs 22.5 points, p = 0.03). The volume of fluid collection 2–3 after surgery mesh site was 21.2 ± 9.7 cm3 in the main group (30.7 ± 25.6 cm3 in the control group, p = 0.02). The POMS scale assessment for a surgeon in the main group was 56.4 ± 33.5 points (87.3 ± 30.8 points in the control group). A follow-up examination 12 months postop revealed no recurrence in both groups (p = 1.0). The main and the control group showed no significant differences in functional outcomes.CONCLUSIONS: the use of 3D laparoscopic ventral mesh rectopexy for rectocele and rectal prolapse is comparable in late results with traditional laparoscopic procedure. However, it takes less operation time, lower pain intensity, less intraoperative blood loss, smaller fluid collection at mesh site, better comfort and ergonomics for surgeon.

Yves Panis. 60th Anniversary

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