A rectourethral fistula (RUF) is an uncommon complication resulting from surgery, radiation or trauma. Although various surgical procedures for the treatment of an RUF have been described, none has gained acceptance as the procedure of choice. The aim of this study was to review our experience with surgical management of RUF.
The outcomes of 6 male patients (mean age, 51 years) with an RUF who were operated on by a single surgeon between May 2005 and July 2012 were assessed.
The causes of the RUF were iatrogenic in four cases (two after radiation therapy for rectal cancer, one after brachytherapy for prostate cancer, and one after surgery for a bladder stone) and traumatic in two cases. Fecal diversion was the initial treatment in five patients. In one patient, fecal diversion was performed simultaneously with definitive repair. Four patients underwent staged repair after a mean of 12 months. Rectal advancement flaps were done for simple, small fistula (n = 2), and flap interpositions (gracilis muscle flap, n = 2; omental flap, n = 1) were done for complex or recurrent fistulae. Urinary strictures and incontinence were observed in patients after gracilis muscle flap interposition, but they were resolved with simple treatments. The mean follow-up period was 28 months, and closure of the fistula was achieved in all five patients (100%) who underwent definitive repairs. The fistula persisted in one patient who refused further definitive surgery after receiving only a fecal diversion.
Depending on the severity and the recurrence status of RUF, a relatively simple rectal advancement flap repair or a more complex gracilis muscle or omental flap interposition can be used to achieve closure of the fistula.
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Inappropriate therapies for hemorrhoids can lead to various complications including anorectal stricture. We report a patient presenting with catastrophic rectal perforation due to severe anal stricture after inappropriate hemorrhoid treatment. A 67-years old man with perianal pain visited the emergency room. The hemorrhoids accompanied by constipation, had tortured him since his youth. Thus he had undergone injection sclerotherapy several times by an unlicensed therapist and hemorrhoidectomy twice at the clinics of private practitioners. His body temperature was as high as 38.5℃. The computed tomographic scan showed a focal perforation of posterior rectal wall. The emergency operation was performed. The fibrotic tissues of the anal canal were excised. And then a sigmoid loop colostomy was constructed. The patient was discharged four days following the operation. This report calls attention to the enormous risk of unlicensed injection sclerotherapy and overzealous hemorrhoidectomy resulting in scarring, progressive stricture, and eventual rectal perforation.
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The purpose of this study was to evaluate the overall rate and risk factors for the development of an incisional hernia and a parastomal hernia after colorectal surgery.
The study cohort consisted of 795 consecutive patients who underwent open colorectal surgery between 2005 and 2007 by a single surgeon. A retrospective analysis of prospectively collected data was performed.
The overall incidence of incisional hernias was 2% (14/690). This study revealed that the cumulative incidences of incisional hernia were 1% at 12 months and 3% after 36 months. Eighty-six percent of all incisional hernias developed within 3 years after a colectomy. The overall rate of parastomal hernias in patients with a stoma was 6.7% (7/105). The incidence of parastomal hernias was significantly higher in the colostomy group than in the ileostomy group (11.9% vs. 0%; P = 0.007). Obesity, abdominal aortic aneurysm, American Society of Anesthesiologists score, serum albumin level, emergency surgery and postoperative ileus did not influence the incidence of incisional or parastomal hernias. However, the multivariate analysis revealed that female gender and wound infection were significant risk factors for the development of incisional hernias female: P = 0.009, wound infection: P = 0.041). There were no significant factors related to the development of parastomal hernias.
Our results indicate that most incisional hernias develop within 3 years after a colectomy. Female gender and wound infection were risk factors for the development of an incisional hernia after colorectal surgery. In contrast, no significant factors were found to be associated with the development of a parastomal hernia.
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We analyzed the clinical data of T3 colorectal cancer patients to assess whether T3 subdivision correlates with node (N) or metastasis (M) staging and stage-independent factors.
Five hundred fifty-five patients who underwent surgery for primary colorectal cancer from January 2003 to December 2009 were analyzed for T3 subdivision. T3 subdivision was determined by the depth of invasion beyond the outer border of the proper muscle (T3a, <1 mm; T3b, 1 to 5 mm; T3c, >5 to 15 mm; T3d, >15 mm). We investigated the correlation between T3 subdivision and N, M staging and stage-independent prognostic factors including angiolymphatic invasion (ALI), venous invasion (VI) and perineural invasion (PNI).
The tumors of the 555 patients were subclassified as T3a in 86 patients (15.5%), T3b in 209 patients (37.7%), T3c in 210 patients (37.8%) and T3d in 50 patients (9.0%). The nodal metastasis rates were 39.5% for T3a, 56.5% for T3b, 75.7% for T3c and 74.0% for T3d. The distant metastasis rates were 7.0% for T3a 9.1% for T3b, 27.1% for T3c and 40.0% for T3d. Both N and M staging correlated with T3 subdivision (Spearman's rho = 0.288, 0.276, respectively; P < 0.001). Other stage-independent prognostic factors correlated well with T3 subdivision (Spearman's rho = 0.250, P < 0.001 for ALI; rho = 0.146, P < 0.001 for VI; rho = 0.271, P < 0.001 for PNI).
Subdivision of T3 colorectal cancer correlates with nodal and metastasis staging. Moreover, it correlates with other prognostic factors for colorectal cancer.
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An anorectal foreign body can cause serious complications such as incontinence, rectal perforation, peritonitis, or pelvic abscess, so it should be managed immediately. We experienced two cases of operative treatment for a self-inserted anorectal foreign body. In one, the foreign body could not be removed as it was completely impacted in the anal canal. We failed to remove it through the anus. A laparotomy and removal of the foreign body was performed by using an incision on the rectum. Primary colsure and a sigmoid loop colostomy were done. A colostomy take-down was done after three months. The other was a rectal perforation from anal masturbation with a plastic device. We performed primary repair of the perforated rectosigmoid colon, and we didea sigmoid loop colostom. A colostomy take-down was done three months later. Immediate and proper treatment for a self-inserted anorectal foreign body is important to prevent severe complications, and we report successful surgical treatments for problems caused by anorectal foreign bodies.
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