Annals of Coloproctology

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Anorectal physiology & pelvic floor disorder

Transverse perineal support improves long-term outcomes in patients undergoing stapled transanal rectal resection for obstructed defecation syndrome: a multicenter observational case-control study: Adolfo Renzi, Luigi Marano, Pasquale Talento, Luigi Brusciano, Angela Pezzolla, Domenico Izzo, Carmine Antropoli, Francesco D’Aniello, Giandomenico Di Sarno, Gianluca Minieri, Grazia Cantore, Gianmattia Terracciano, Domenico Barbato, Ludovico Docimo, Massimo Antropoli, Alessio Palumbo, Michele Lanza, Emanuele Mario Caputi, Antonio Brillantino; Ann Coloproctol. 2025;41(4):330-337. Published online August 25, 2025; DOI: https://doi.org/10.3393/ac.2025.00073.0010

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Abstract PDF: Purpose
To evaluate the safety and long-term efficacy of stapled transanal rectal resection (STARR) combined with the transverse perineal support (TPS) procedure in the surgical treatment of obstructed defecation syndrome (ODS) associated with internal rectal prolapse and excessive perineal descent (PD).
Methods
This multicenter observational case-control study involved 7 European centers. During the initial study period, patients underwent STARR alone (group 1), while in the subsequent period, patients received STARR combined with TPS (group 2). All patients were followed clinically at 6, 12, 36, and 60 months, and were offered radiological evaluation between 3 and 5 years postoperatively.
Results
The median postoperative ODS score was similar between groups at 6 months (6 [range, 2–15] vs. 5 [range, 2–13]; P=0.16, Mann-Whitney U-test), but at 36 months, it was significantly lower in group 2 compared to group 1 (11 [range, 5–16] vs. 5 [range, 2–15]; P<0.001, Mann-Whitney U-test), with stable results maintained through 5 years. The success rate followed a similar trend. Postoperative maximum PD during straining remained unchanged in group 1, whereas it significantly decreased compared to preoperative values in group 2.
Conclusion
The addition of TPS to STARR in the surgical treatment of ODS associated with internal rectal prolapse and excessive PD appears to significantly improve long-term success rates and correct descending perineum.

Anorectal benign disease

Validation of a novel imaging-guided and anatomy-based classification system for anorectal fistulas: a retrospective clinical evaluation study: Antonio Brillantino, Francesca Iacobellis, Luigi Marano, Adolfo Renzi, Pasquale Talento, Luigi Brusciano, Claudio Gambardella, Umberto Favetta, Michele Schiano Di Visconte, Luigi Monaco, Maurizio Grillo, Mauro Natale Maglio, Fabrizio Foroni, Alessio Palumbo, Maria Laura Sandoval Sotelo, Luciano Vicenzo, Elisa Palladino, Giovanna Frezza, Maria Paola Menna, Paolino Mauro, Stefano Picardi, Mario Massimo Mensorio, Vinicio Mosca, Vincenzo Bottino, Giovanna Ioia, Corrado Rispoli, Marco Di Serafino, Martina Caruso, Roberto Ronza, Barbara Frittoli, Daria Schettini, Luca Stoppino, Franco Iafrate, Giulio Lombardi, Carmine Antropoli, Salvatore Cappabianca, Ludovico Docimo, Roberto Grassi, Alfonso Reginelli; Ann Coloproctol. 2025;41(3):207-220. Published online June 16, 2025; DOI: https://doi.org/10.3393/ac.2024.00675.0096

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Graphical Abstract Abstract PDF: Purpose
This study was conducted to evaluate the validity of a new imaging-guided, anatomy-based classification of anorectal fistulas in defining disease severity and predicting surgical outcomes.
Methods
This multicenter, retrospective cohort study analyzed data from patients with perianal fistulas who underwent surgery between 2017 and 2023. All patients underwent preoperative 3-dimensional endoanal ultrasound, with adjunctive magnetic resonance imaging performed if ultrasound indicated a complex fistula. Imaging examinations were retrospectively evaluated to categorize fistulas according to the Garg classification and the newly proposed classification system. The new classification included 6 severity grades based on the characteristics of the primary tract: submucosal, intersphincteric, low transsphincteric, high transsphincteric, multiple, and suprasphincteric/extrasphincteric. Each grade was further subdivided into 3 subtypes (A, B, C) based on the extension of secondary tracts.
Results
When compared with the new classification, the Garg classification demonstrated a slightly lower ability to predict the feasibility of fistulotomy in simple fistulas (94.2% vs 99.1%; Fisher exact test, P=0.006). A strong positive correlation was found between the surgery failure rate and the severity grade of the new classification (Spearman rho, 0.90; P<0.001), whereas the Garg classification showed a nonsignificant positive correlation with surgical failure rate (Spearman rho, 0.90; P=0.08).
Conclusion
The new imaging-guided, anatomy-based classification of anorectal fistulas demonstrates high accuracy in defining disease severity. It represents a valuable tool for preoperative grading of anal fistulas, standardizing the reporting of diagnostic imaging, and improving the communication of findings among healthcare professionals.

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