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.
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.
Purpose Postoperative pain is a major concern for patients undergoing ultrasound scalpel-assisted hemorrhoidectomy, potentially exacerbated by delayed wound healing. This study aimed to evaluate the impact of an intimate cleansing gel containing chlorhexidine, hyaluronic acid, and other anti-inflammatory agents (Antroclean Fisioderm) on postoperative pain, itching, and wound healing in patients who had undergone this procedure.
Methods This multicenter observational case-control study involved a cohort of consecutive adult patients who underwent hemorrhoidectomy using an ultrasound device. The study compared 2 different postoperative wound management strategies over 1 month after surgery: washing with warm water twice per day (control group) versus a 2-minute topical application of intimate cleansing gel (Antroclean Fisioderm) followed by a warm water wash (intervention group).
Results The median postoperative pain score was significantly lower in the intervention group than in the control group at each follow-up point (P<0.01). The percentage of patients reporting anal itching was also significantly lower in the intervention group than in the control group at each follow-up point (P<0.01). All patients in the intervention group achieved complete wound healing 4 weeks after surgery, compared to 88 (82%) in the control group (P<0.01). No adverse events were reported.
Conclusion The topical application of intimate cleansing gel (Antroclean Fisioderm) twice daily for 1 month following ultrasound scalpel-assisted hemorrhoidectomy appears to be associated with faster healing, reduced pain, decreased itching, and improved quality of life, without any adverse effects. Further larger and prospective randomized trials are recommended to confirm these findings.
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The aim of these evidence-based guidelines is to present a consensus position from members of the Italian Unitary Society of Colon-Proctology (Società Italiana Unitaria di Colon-Proctologia, SIUCP) on the diagnosis and management of hemorrhoidal disease, with the goal of guiding physicians in the choice of the best treatment option. A panel of experts was charged by the Board of the SIUCP to develop key questions on the main topics related to the management of hemorrhoidal disease and to perform an accurate and comprehensive literature search on each topic, in order to provide evidence-based answers to the questions and to summarize them in statements. All the clinical questions were discussed by the expert panel in multiple rounds through the Delphi approach and, for each statement, a consensus among the experts was reached. The questions were created according to PICO (patients, intervention, comparison, and outcomes) criteria, and the statements were developed adopting the GRADE (Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development, and Evaluations) methodology. In cases of grade 1 hemorrhoidal prolapse, outpatient procedures including hemorrhoidal laser procedure and sclerotherapy may be considered the preferred surgical options. For grade 2 prolapse, nonexcisional procedures including outpatient treatments, hemorrhoidal artery ligation and mucopexy, laser hemorrhoidoplasty, the Rafaelo procedure, and stapled hemorrhoidopexy may represent the first-line treatment options, whereas excisional surgery may be considered in selected cases. In cases of grades 3 and 4, stapled hemorrhoidopexy and hemorrhoidectomy may represent the most effective procedures, even if, in the expert panel opinion, stapled hemorrhoidopexy represents the gold-standard treatment for grade 3 hemorrhoidal prolapse.
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