No abstract

IntroductionA new artificial anal sphincter, SphinKeeperTM, was devised with the aim to treat fecal incontinence (FI) by implanting specifically designed self-expandable prostheses into the intersphincteric space. Preliminary data concerning the procedure feasibility and prosthesis localization at 3 months are presented.MethodsSphinKeeperTM prostheses in the native state are dehydrated, thin, solid cylinder (length 29 mm, diameter 3 mm), changing their state (shorter—length 23 mm, thicker—diameter 7 mm—and softer, with shape memory) within 48 h of contact with fluids. In this study, 10 prostheses were implanted in each patient with FI under local anesthesia and under endoanal ultrasound (EAUS) guidance, into the upper-middle intersphincteric space of the anal canal by a specifically designed delivery system. EAUS was used postoperatively to assess prostheses dislocation.ResultsTen patients (5 females; median age 58 years, range 20–75) were enrolled and treated with SphinKeeperTM implantation. Median duration of procedure (performed by endoanal ultrasound guidance) was 40 min (range 30–45). Neither intraoperative nor postoperative complications were reported after a 3-month follow-up. In one patient, a partial dislocation of a single prosthesis was documented by EAUS, causing anal discomfort which resolved after 1 week.ConclusionSphinKeeperTM can be safely implanted in patients with FI of different etiology. Implantation was well tolerated with no dislodgment of implants at 3-month follow-up.

BackgroundVarious injectable bulking agents have been used for the treatment of faecal incontinence (FI). However, encouraging early results are not maintained over time. This study aimed to assess short- and medium-term results of a new bulking agent for the treatment of FI.MethodsThe Gatekeeper™ prosthesis comprises a thin solid polyacrylonitrile cylinder that becomes thicker, shorter and softer within 24 h after implantation. Fourteen patients with FI underwent treatment with Gatekeeper™ under local anaesthesia. Four prostheses were implanted in the intersphincteric space in each patient, under endoanal ultrasound guidance. Number of episodes of major FI, Cleveland Clinic FI score (CCFIS), Vaizey score, anorectal manometry, endoanal ultrasonography (EUS), health status and quality of life (Short Form 36 and Faecal Incontinence Quality of Life questionnaires) were assessed before and after treatment.ResultsMean(s.d.) follow-up was 33·5(12·4) months. There were no complications. There was a significant decrease in major FI episodes from 7·1(7·4) per week at baseline to 1·4(4·0), 1·0(3·2) and 0·4(0·6) per week respectively at 1-month, 3-month and last follow-up (P = 0·002). CCFIS improved significantly from 12·7(3·3) to 4·1(3·0), 3·9(2·6) and 5·1(3·0) respectively (P < 0·001), and Vaizey score from 15·4(3·3) to 7·1(3·9), 4·7(3·0) and 6·9(5·0) respectively (P = 0·010). Soiling and ability to postpone defaecation improved significantly, and patients reported significant improvement in health status and quality of life. At follow-up, manometric parameters had not changed and EUS did not demonstrate any prosthesis dislocation.ConclusionThe Gatekeeper™ anal implant seemed safe, reliable and effective. Initial clinical improvement was maintained over time, and follow-up data were encouraging. Copyright © 2011 British Journal of Surgery Society Ltd. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

These data appear to confirm that sacral nerve stimulation could represent a valid alternative in the treatment of fecal incontinence patients presenting with sphincter lesion that was not preceded by sphincteroplasty.

BackgroundManagement of anal fistula (AF) remains challenging with many controversies. The purpose of this study was to explore current surgical practice in the management of AF with a focus on technical variations among surgeons.MethodsAn online survey was conducted by inviting all surgeons and physicians on the membership directory of European Society of Coloproctology and American Society of Colon and Rectal Surgeons. An invitation was extended to others via social media. The survey had 74 questions exploring diagnostic and surgical techniques.ResultsIn March 2018, 3572 physicians on membership directory were invited to take part in the study 510 of whom (14%) responded to the survey. Of these respondents, 492 (96%) were surgeons. Respondents were mostly colorectal surgeons (84%) at consultant level (84%), age ≥ 40 years (64%), practicing in academic (53%) or teaching (30%) hospitals, from the USA (36%) and Europe (34%). About 80% considered fistulotomy as the gold standard treatment for simple fistulas. Endorectal advancement flap was performed using partial- (42%) or full-thickness (44%) flaps. Up to 38% of surgeons performed ligation of the intersphincteric fistula tract (LIFT) sometimes with technical variations. Geographic and demographic differences were found in both the diagnostic and therapeutic approaches to AF. Declared rates of recurrence and fecal incontinence with these techniques were variable and did not correlate with surgeons’ experience. Only 1–4% of surgeons were confident in performing the most novel sphincter-preserving techniques in patients with Crohn’s disease.ConclusionsProfound technical variations exist in surgical management of AF, making it difficult to reproduce and compare treatment outcomes among different centers.Electronic supplementary materialThe online version of this article (10.1007/s10151-019-02051-5) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

There is still no clear consensus about surgical treatment of anal fistulas. Fistulotomy or fistulectomy and primary sphincter reconstruction is still regarded with skepticism. The aim of this systematic review was to evaluate the evidence in the literature supporting the use of this technique in the treatment of complex anal fistulas. MEDLINE, EMBASE and Cochrane Library databases were searched for the period between 1985 and 2015. The studies selected were peer-reviewed articles, with no limitations concerning the study cohort size, length of the follow-up or language. Technical notes, commentaries, letters and meeting abstracts were excluded. The major endpoints were the technique adopted, clinical efficacy, changes at anorectal manometry and assessment of quality of life after the procedure. Fourteen reports (666 patients) satisfied the inclusion criteria. The quality of the studies was low. Some differences about the surgical technique emerged; however, after a weighted average duration of follow-up of 28.9 months, the overall success rate was 93.2 %, with a low morbidity rate. The overall postoperative worsening continence rate was 12.4 % (mainly post-defecation soiling). In almost all cases, the anorectal manometry parameters remained unchanged. The quality of life, when evaluated, improved significantly. Fistulotomy or fistulectomy and primary sphincteroplasty could be a therapeutic option for complex anal fistula. Success rates were very high and the risk of postoperative fecal incontinence was lower than after simple fistulotomy. Well-designed trials are needed to support the inclusion of this technique in a treatment algorithm for the management of complex anal fistulas.

Transanal haemorrhoidal dearterialization seems to be a safe and effective treatment for fourth-degree HD providing a significant improvement of symptoms for the majority of patients. When present, persisting symptoms are mostly transient, occasional or limited in severity, and only a very few patients require further intervention. Larger series and longer follow-up to further assess the role of THD in this challenging group of pts.

The study suggests that chronic inflammation is present in cryptoglandular fistulas. The inflammatory pattern might be different in the proximal than in the distal part of the fistula track. The cytokines IL-1beta and IL-8 could play a possible role in fistula formation. The study demonstrates for the first time the potential importance of EMT in the pathogenesis of cryptoglandular AF.