Images in clinical medicine. Chronic ulcerative colitis with megacolon.
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Biomedical subjects
Publications and source records attributed to Andreas M Kaiser.
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Hemorrhoids remain one of the most common colorectal complaints. They are defined as a pathologic engorgement of the submucosal vascular plexus. Although they are often asymptomatic, hemorrhoids may cause bleeding, prolapse and, less commonly, pain. This review gives an update on various treatment options for symptomatic hemorrhoids, which include conservative treatments, office interventions, and surgical procedures, depending on the individual constellation of symptoms. Objective findings and expectations are also addressed. Recent advances (eg, stapled hemorrhoidectomy and use of alternate energy sources) are emphasized, and treatment under special circumstances (HIV, pregnancy, inflammatory bowel disease, and liver disease) is outlined.
The American Society of Colorectal Surgeons (ASCRS) recently endorsed low-molecular-weight heparin and low-dose heparin as primary prophylaxis for venous thromboembolism (VTE) in highest-risk patients. Our study evaluates the feasibility of sequential compression device (SCD) use for VTE prophylaxis in these patients. Computerized databases of discharge diagnoses from three hospitals were reviewed. All patients with colorectal cancer or inflammatory bowel disease during a 7-year period were identified. Those who underwent major abdominal surgery and received VTE prophylaxis exclusively with SCDs were selected for the study. Patients diagnosed with postoperative VTE were identified through review of the three databases and of patient records for 90 days after surgery. One thousand two hundred eighty-one patients classified as highest-risk under the published ASCRS parameters underwent major abdominal surgery and received SCDs perioperatively. The incidence of clinically detectable postoperative VTE was 0.78 per cent. There were trends toward lower incidence among patients with malignancy (0.53%) compared with inflammatory bowel disease (1.48%, P = 0.09), and those with abdominal compared to pelvic procedures (0.62% vs. 1.04%, P = 0.41). Prophylaxis for perioperative VTE solely with SCD is a viable option for patients classified as highest-risk under ASCRS parameters.
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PURPOSE: After proctocolectomy for ulcerative colitis or familial adenomatous polyposis, creation of a continent ileostomy is one of the surgical options. Although most patients will be offered a pull-through procedure, the continent ileostomy is a valuable alternative in patients who are either not candidates for or have failed an ileal pouch-anal anastomosis or who--for other reasons--prefer a permanent ileostomy. The traditional continent reservoirs (Kock or Barnett pouch) with an intussuscepted bowel segment as valve mechanism have an unsatisfactorily high incidence of dysfunction and frequent reoperations. The objective of this study was to adapt the T-pouch valve concept, previously used for urinary reservoirs, for a continent stool reservoir and to construct a valve mechanism that omits intussusception of the bowel and maintains the blood supply to the valve segment. METHODS: The technique for the critical valve construction is described in detail. It consists of isolating the terminal segment of the small bowel with its blood supply. The valve mechanism is created by embedding this segment in a serosa-lined tunnel of two apposed limbs of bowel that will form the pouch reservoir. RESULTS: Preliminary results in six patients indicate complete continence of the pouch. CONCLUSION: Although long-term results are not yet available, the new T-pouch concept is suitable as a continent stool reservoir and promises a significant improvement as compared with the traditional Kock pouch.
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A working knowledge of anorectal and pelvic anatomy is crucial for the understanding of normal function, pathogenesis and surgical treatment of anorectal diseases. In a field of unlimited details and varying definitions, our goal is to provide an overview of anatomic concepts relevant for the practical management of patients.
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André Toupet is best known for the posterior fundoplication that bears his name, currently used for the treatment of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) or completing Heller's myotomy and subject today to intense discussions. This was not different in 1963, when Toupet proposed his technique at a time when the Nissen fundoplication was emerging as the treatment of choice for GERD. Behind the procedure, we discover a man with great surgical talent and meticulous attention to technical details who opposed criticism with hard work and strong family values.
Perforation of a hollow viscus is an emergency which should prompt a rapid and effective treatment. Open surgery has been considered the standard approach, but the use of laparoscopy for diagnostic purposes and treatment in favorable circumstances and locations appears to be a safe alternative with a number of advantages. Indications and contraindications, which depend on the nature of the disease, the duration of the perforation and the location, are discussed in detail.
This review was designed to determine whether "high-dose" steroid therapy (> or =20 mg prednisone/day) increases the likelihood of anastomotic complications after restorative proctocolectomy with ileal pouch-anal anastomosis (IPAA). The hospital records of 100 patients undergoing proctocolectomy with IPAA were reviewed. Patient characteristics were analyzed to determine what factors were associated with higher rates of anastomosis-related complications. Seventy-one of our patients were given diverting ileostomies, whereas the remaining 29 underwent a single-stage procedure. Fifty-four percent of the patients in our review were taking steroids preoperatively, 39 of whom were on high-dose therapy. The overall anastomosis-related complication rate was 14%. There was no significant difference in complication rates with respect to age, steroid use, steroid dose, use of a diverting ileostomy, type of anastomosis, duration of disease, or presence of backwash ileitis. A trend toward higher leakage rates was found in patients undergoing single-stage procedures (10.3% vs. 2.8%, P=0.14) as well as in patients undergoing single-stage procedures on high-dose steroids (22% vs. 5.0, P=0.22). Nevertheless, neither of these trends was found to be statistically significant, which was likely influenced by the small sample size. Our data suggest that there may be an increase in anastomotic leakage rates in patients on high-dose steroids undergoing a single-stage proctocolectomy with IPAA. Nevertheless, our rate was not as high as the rates seen by other investigators and did not reach statistical significance. During preoperative counseling, patients on high-dose steroids should be informed of this uncertain but real risk of anastomotic leakage.