Disappointing long-term results of the artificial anal sphincter for faecal incontinence.
Explore the source record for details and available documents.
Device Removal↗
Biomedical subjects
E Melega
Publications and source records attributed to E Melega.
Multicentre retrospective analysis of the outcome of artificial anal sphincter implantation for severe faecal incontinence.
BACKGROUND: A new prosthetic device, the Action artificial anal sphincter, has recently been introduced for treating severe faecal incontinence. The results of this procedure in 28 patients are presented. METHODS: The patients underwent operation for severe faecal incontinence in four Italian university hospitals and patients were reviewed after a median follow-up of 19 (range 7-41) months. RESULTS: Early infections occurred in four patients, requiring removal of the device in three. Dehiscence of the perineal wound occurred in nine patients. After activation of the device, the cuff had to be removed in a further four patients (for rectal erosion in two, anal pain in one and late infection in one). The cuff was accidentally broken in one patient. A new anal cuff was repositioned successfully in two patients. Overall, five patients had complete removal of the device and two removal of the cuff only. Twenty-one patients available for long-term evaluation had a major improvement in faecal continence. Median resting anal pressure increased from 27 mmHg before surgery to 32 mmHg after operation. Preoperative squeeze pressure was 42 mmHg while maximum postoperative anal pressure with the activated device was 67 mmHg. The median American Medical System incontinence score decreased significantly from 98.5 to 5.5 (P < 0.001). Similar figures were observed using the Continence Grading Scale (from 14.9 to 2.6; P < 0.001). Twelve patients developed symptoms of obstructed defaecation while two patients complained of anal pain. CONCLUSION: Improved continence was achieved after neosphincter implantation in three-quarters of the patients. Early infection and rectal erosion, together with difficulty in evacuating, are still major concerns with this technique.
Adult↗
Does surgery resolve outlet obstruction from rectocele?
In order to ascertain whether plastic surgery for rectocele is of value in the treatment of outlet obstruction, a retrospective study was made of 21 women complaining of difficulty in expelling faeces: 13 patients (group A) underwent surgery with transanal longitudinal plication of the anterior rectal wall (Block's technique), and 8 patients (group B) had colpoperineoplasty which, in 2, was associated with bladder-neck suspension following the Raz-Peyrera technique for urinary incontinence. The mean follow-up was 24.2 +/- 18.7 and 36.8 +/- 17.8 months respectively. In 11 group A patients (80.9%) and 6 group B patients (75%) cure, or an improvement, was achieved. Of the remaining 4 patients (19%), recurrent rectocele was found in 2 (one group A and one group B) and intestinal transit time tests detected colonic constipation in one group A and in one group B patient. It is concluded that surgery can resolve outlet obstruction from rectocele, but Block's technique is preferable because it is more straight-forward and easier.
Constipation↗
Striated anal sphincter electromyography in idiopathic fecal incontinence.
PURPOSE: This study was designed to determine the importance of innervation of striated anal sphincters, one of the most important structures in idiopathic fecal incontinence. METHODS: Forty-three idiopathic, fecally incontinent patients (40 women and 3 men; mean age, 57.2 +/- 11 (range, 33-77) years) underwent anorectal manometry and sphincteric electromyography. On the basis of electromyographic findings, patients were subdivided into three groups: Group A consisted of 21 patients with normal electromyography; Group B consisted of 14 patients with moderate denervation; Group C consisted of 8 patients with severe denervation. Manometric results from the patients were compared with those from 15 healthy subjects (8 women and 7 men; mean age, 35 +/- 12 (range, 15-55) years). RESULTS: Incontinent patients had a shorter anal canal (P = 0.005), and anal canal pressure was lower at rest (P < 0.001), at contraction (P < 0.001), and at coughing (P < 0.001); rectal distention and rectal compliance were reduced (maximum tolerated volume, P < 0.003; compliance at 200 ml, P = 0.03; at 250, P < 0.005; at 300 ml, P = 0.03). No statistically significant differences were found between the manometric results of the three different groups of patients. A statistically significant linear correlation was reached by comparing the clinical severity of fecal incontinence with age (P = 0.02) and some other manometric parameters: the pressure of the anal canal at rest (P < 0.001) and at contraction (P < 0.01); rectal compliance at 50 ml (P = 0.03), 100 ml (P = 0.004), and 150 ml (P = 0.004). CONCLUSION: Clinical severity of fecal incontinence is correlated with some manometric parameters. Severity of denervation of the anal striated sphincters does not appear to influence severity of fecal incontinence.
Adult↗
Femoral nerve damage after abdominal rectopexy.
Iatrogenic femoral nerve damage has already been described after hysterectomy, but never after abdominal rectopexy. We report the occurrence of femoral nerve injury in six of twenty-four patients operated on for complete rectal prolapse (n = 21) or rectorectal intussusception (n = 3). Four patients had unilateral and two bilateral lesions. All six patients had clinical and electromyographic (EMG) assessment. EMG findings were given a score from 0 (complete denervation) to 5 (normal findings). During the immediate postoperative period all patients complained of reduced cutaneous sensation of the anterior surface of the thigh and knee, and quadriceps weakness. EMG showed complete denervation in one patient, marked denervation in three, and slight or moderate denervation in the remaining two. In five patients there was complete clinical resolution at 3 to 12 months postoperatively, while one showed an improvement only. EMG control performed in four patients showed a full recovery in three. Two patients refused this examination. We believe femoral nerve damage was caused by the large-bladed self-retaining retractors used, which directly or indirectly compressed the femoral nerve.
Abdomen↗