This protocol is the first prospective trial that investigates the role of both local excision and watch and wait approaches in patients treated with neoadjuvant therapy for rectal cancer. The trial is registered at clinicaltrials.gov (NCT02710812).

univariate and multivariate analyses. Further analysis was conducted on patients with AL to identify factors correlated with gravity. Results There were 520 patients representing 64% of LAR for rectal cancer performed by SICCR members. The overall rate of AL was 15.2%. Mortality was 2.7% including 0.6% from AL. The incidence of AL was correlated with higher age (p<0.05), lower (<20 per year) centre case volume (p<0.05), obesity (p<0.05), malnutrition (p<0.01) and intraoperative contamination (p<0.05), and was lower in patients with a colonic J-pouch reservoir (p<0.05). In the multivariate analysis age, malnutrition and intraoperative contamination were independent predictors. The only predictor of severe (grade III/IV) AL was alcohol/smoking habits (p<0.05) while the absence of a diverting stoma was borderline significant (p<0.07). Conclusions Our retrospective survey identified several risk factors for AL. This survey was a necessary step to construct prospective interventional studies and to establish benchmark standards for outcome studies. Keywords Anastomotic leaks · Low anterior resection · Rectal cancer · Outcome studies IntroductionAnastomotic leakage (AL) is the most significant surgical complication following resection for rectal cancer [1], affecting perioperative mortality and possibly longterm survival [2,3]. The rate of AL after anterior resection (AR) varies from 3% to 19% [4][5][6][7][8][9][10][11], being clinically significant in 2.9-15.3% of patients. Mortality following a leak may be 6.0-39.3% [12]. Most of the reports of complications after surgery for colorectal cancer come Abstract Background The aim of the survey was to assess the incidence of anastomotic leaks (AL) and to identify risk factors predicting incidence and gravity of AL after low anterior resection (LAR) for rectal cancer performed by colorectal surgeons of the Italian Society of Colorectal Surgery (SICCR). Methods Information about patients with rectal cancers less than 12 cm from the anal verge who underwent LAR during 2005 was collected retrospectively. AL was classified as grade I to IV according to gravity. Fifteen clinical variables were examined by ing factors predicting the gravity of AL among patients with AL this classification was simplified to mild to moderate (grades 1 and 2) and severe (grades 3 and 4).Categorical variables were evaluated using either Fisher's exact test or Pearson's chi-squared test depending on sample size. Numerical variables were evaluated using Student's t-test. P values <0.05 were considered significant. All variables which were associated with the incidence or gravity of AL in the univariate analysis were entered into a multivariate logistic regression model. Data were analysed using the STATA program (release 8.0, 2003; Stata Corporation, College Station, TX). ResultsOf 108 centres contacted, 44 (40.7%) participated. Information on 682 patients with rectal cancer who had undergone surgery was collected. Sphincter-saving surgery was performed in 579 patients (84.9%). After excluding abdom...

Local injections of infliximab along the fistula tract seem to be an effective and safe treatment of perianal fistulas in Crohn's disease. However, further controlled clinical investigations are warranted.

The hemorrhoid laser procedure was effective in improving bleeding and pain symptoms in patients with grade II and III hemorrhoids.

This pilot study suggests that a high local concentration of adalimumab favors prompt and definitive healing of the fistulous tract in patients with perianal Crohn's disease. Future randomized trials with well-defined selection criteria are needed to determine the relative risks and benefits of available anti-TNF-α blockers (chimeric vs fully humanized) and the optimal mode of administration (systemic use vs local injection) in the treatment of fistulizing perianal Crohn's disease.

One of the most frequent subtypes of constipation is represented by obstructed defecation, and it has recently been reported that these patients may have colonic motor abnormalities in addition to alterations of the anorectal area. However, it is unknown whether these patients display abnormalities of the enteric nervous system, as reported in other groups of constipated subjects. For this reason, we evaluated the neuropathologic aspects of the enteric nervous system in a homogeneous group of patients with obstructed defecation. Colonic specimens from 11 patients (nine women, age range 39-66 years) undergoing surgery for symptoms refractory to any therapeutic measure, including biofeedback training, were obtained and examined by means of conventional histological methods and immunohistochemistry (NSE, S100, c-Kit, formamide-mAb, Bcl-2, CD34, alfa-actin). Analysis of the specimens showed that the enteric neurons were significantly decreased only in the submucosal plexus of patients (Po0.0001 vs controls), whereas the enteric glial cells of constipated patients were reduced in both the myenteric (P ¼ 0.018 vs controls) and the submucosal plexus (P ¼ 0.004 vs controls). No difference between patients and controls were found concerning c-Kit and CD34 expression, and the number of apoptotic neurons. These findings support the concept that at least a subgroup of patients with obstructed defecation and severe, intractable symptoms display abnormalities of the enteric nervous system, mostly related to the enteric glial cells. These findings might explain some of the pathophysiological abnormalities, and help to better understand this condition.

Patients with OD associated to rectal intussusception display abnormalities of the ENS and of estrogen receptors β.

Background Colonic J pouch reconstruction has been found to be associated with a lower incidence of anastomotic leakage than straight anastomosis. However, studies on this topic are underpowered and retrospective. This randomized trial evaluated whether the incidence of anastomotic leakage was reduced after colonic J pouch reconstruction compared with straight colorectal anastomosis following anterior resection for rectal cancer. Methods This multicentre RCT included patients with rectal carcinoma who underwent low anterior resection followed by colorectal anastomosis. Patients were assigned randomly to receive a colonic J pouch or straight colorectal anastomosis. The main outcome measure was the occurrence of major anastomotic leakage. The incidence of global (major plus minor) anastomotic leakage and general complications were secondary outcomes. Risk factors for anastomotic leakage were identified by regression analysis. Results Of 457 patients enrolled, 379 were evaluable (colonic J pouch arm 190, straight colorectal arm 189). The incidence of major and global anastomotic leakage, and general complications was 14·2, 19·5 and 34·2 per cent respectively in the colonic J pouch group, and 12·2, 19·0 and 27·0 per cent in the straight colorectal anastomosis group. No statistically significant differences were observed between the two arms. In multivariable logistic regression analysis, male sex (odds ratio 1·79, 95 per cent c.i. 1·02 to 3·15; P = 0·042) and high ASA fitness grade (odds ratio 2·06, 1·15 to 3·71; P = 0·015) were independently associated with the occurrence of anastomotic leakage. Conclusion Colonic J pouch reconstruction does not reduce the incidence of anastomotic leakage and postoperative complications compared with conventional straight colorectal anastomosis. Registration number NCT01110798 (http://www.clinicaltrials.gov/).