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Biomedical subjects

J Marzo

Publications and source records attributed to J Marzo.

10 recordsLinked to original sources

Quality of life assessment in patients with chronic anal fissure after lateral internal sphincterotomy.

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to compare quality of life of patients with chronic anal fissure before and after open lateral internal sphincterotomy. METHODS: A prospective study was undertaken of 108 consecutive patients with a history of chronic anal fissure who underwent lateral internal sphincterotomy. Quality of life was measured before and 6 months after operation with the Short-Form 36 (SF-36) Health Survey. RESULTS: Quality of life improved significantly in six of the eight scales of the SF-36 questionnaire: physical functioning, role physical, bodily pain, energy, social functioning and mental health. There were no significant differences between the 70 patients who had no change in continence after operation and the 38 patients with continence disturbances after sphincterotomy. However, there were significant improvements in four scales in patients without changes in continence compared with improvements in only two scales in those with continence disturbances. CONCLUSION: Patients with chronic anal fissure showed an improvement in quality of life 6 months after internal lateral sphincterotomy. Patients with postoperative continence disturbances showed improvement in fewer scales of the SF-36 questionnaire than those without changes in continence.

Adult↗

Randomized clinical trial of stapled haemorrhoidopexy versus conventional diathermy haemorrhoidectomy.

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to compare the results of stapled haemorrhoidopexy (commonly called stapled haemorrhoidectomy) with those of conventional diathermy haemorrhoidectomy. METHODS: Fifty-five patients with symptomatic third- and fourth-degree haemorrhoids were randomized to either stapled haemorrhoidopexy (n = 27) or conventional diathermy haemorrhoid ectomy (n = 28). Operating time, postoperative pain, time to return to work, postoperative complications and effectiveness of haemorrhoidal symptom control were recorded. The mean follow-up was 15.9 months in the stapled haemorrhoidopexy group and 15.2 months in the conventional haemorrhoidectomy group. RESULTS: Mean pain intensity was significantly less in the stapled group (P = 0.001). There were no significant differences in the total number of complications, the length of absence from work or control of symptoms. Seven patients in the stapled group re-presented with prolapse compared with none in the conventional haemorrhoidectomy group (P = 0.004). This difference was also observed in the subset of patients with fourth-degree haemorrhoids (P = 0.003). CONCLUSION: The stapled operation was significantly less painful than conventional haemorrhoidectomy. However, the rate of recurrent prolapse was higher after stapled haemorrhoidopexy than after conventional diathermy haemorrhoidectomy.

Diathermy↗

Accuracy of hydrogen peroxide-enhanced ultrasound in the identification of internal openings of anal fistulas.

OBJECTIVE: This prospective study was designed to assess the accuracy of hydrogen peroxide-enhanced ultrasound in the identification of internal openings of anal fistulas, with surgical findings as the golden standard. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A total of 143 consecutive patients (102 men; mean age, 45 years) with fistula-in-ano were assessed by hydrogen peroxide-enhanced ultrasound before surgery involving one radiologist. Ultrasound was performed using a B & K Diagnostic Ultrasound System trade mark with a 10-MHz rotating endoprobe. Hydrogen peroxide (3%) was infused into the fistula. All operations were perfomed by the same surgeon who was unaware of results of anal endosonography. RESULTS: In 128 (89.5%) patients, an internal opening was identified at surgery. Correct identification of an internal opening endosonographically was recorded in 80 (62.5%) patients. The internal opening was correctly identified by ultrasound in 32% (8/25) of patients with intersphincteric fistulas, in 77% (70/91) with transsphincteric fistulas, and in 17% (2/12) with suprasphincteric fistulas. CONCLUSION: The accuracy of hydrogen peroxide-enhanced anal endosonography for the identification of internal openings was still insufficient to justify pre-operative endosonography as a diagnostic method for routine use in patients with fistula-in-ano.

Journal Article↗

Endorectal flap advancement repair and fistulectomy for high trans-sphincteric and suprasphincteric fistulas.

BACKGROUND: Low-lying trans-sphincteric anal fistulas respond well to simple fistulectomy or fistulotomy. However, management of high fistulas has long been a serious problem because of the necessity of preserving at least some of the sphincter mechanism. The clinical results of endorectal flap advancement and fistulectomy for complex anal fistulas were assessed. METHODS: A total of 103 consecutive patients with high trans-sphincteric (n = 91) and suprasphincteric (n = 12) fistulas undergoing endorectal advancement flap repair together with core fistulectomy were included in a prospective study. Clinical outcome was assessed in terms of continence and recurrence by an independent observer for a period of 1 year after operation. RESULTS: Successful healing was achieved in 96 patients (93 per cent). Recurrent fistula occurred in six (7 per cent) of the 91 patients in the trans-sphincteric group and in one of the 12 patients in the suprasphincteric group. Continence disturbance was noted in eight patients (8 per cent). Previous repair and the level of the fistula did not adversely affect the results obtained. CONCLUSION: Core fistulectomy associated with endorectal advancement flap repair is a safe and effective technique for any high trans-sphincteric and suprasphincteric fistula, with good results in terms of recurrence and anal continence.

Adolescent↗

Eradication of helicobacter pylori among patients from a primary care practice.

BACKGROUND: The eradication of Helicobacter pylori is becoming the therapy of choice for peptic ulcers, if the infection is present. Published data from primary care settings are, however, limited. METHODS: An open-ended, prospective study was undertaken that included 31 patients with active peptic ulcer demonstrated by endoscopy and H pylori infection confirmed by urease and histologic tests. After a 14-day period of treatment with omeprazole, bismuth, tetracycline, and metronidazole, healing and H pylori status were evaluated by repeat endoscopy done at least 28 days after the last treatment dose. Eradication is defined as absence of H pylori in at least four (two from the fundus and two from the antrum) samples taken from the gastric mucosa and a negative urease test. Drug side effects and patient compliance were monitored in all cases. RESULTS: Twenty-eight patients completed the protocol. Healing was obtained in all cases, and eradication was accomplished in 25 (89%). Side effects were common (69%) but mild. Compliance was good. After a mean follow-up of 300 days (range, 180 to 400), one ulcer recurrence was observed in an H pylori-positive patient and none in H pylori-negative patients. CONCLUSIONS: The treatment of H pylori infection is an effective way of healing peptic ulcers, and can be applied in primary care settings. Further studies with more patients and with shorter and easier therapies should be undertaken to confirm our findings.

Adult↗

[Treatment of perianal Crohn's disease].

Perianal affectation due to Crohn's disease includes a wide spectrum of lesions involving different management and prognosis. A thorough exploration of the patient, under anaesthetic if necessary, a rectoscope to evaluate the possible affectation of the rectum by the disease, and on occasions evaluation through endoanal echography or magnetic resonance, are the bases for a correct diagnostic and therapeutic focus. Pharmacology and surgery must be complementary in the treatment of perianal Crohn's disease and must pursue a double aim: to alleviate the symptomology of the patient and prevent possible complications. Except in situations of emergency due to perianal sepsis, medical treatment is the first step in managing perianal Crohn's disease, and on many occasions it will control the disease, making surgery unnecessary. When surgery is required, with the aim of a definitive treatment of the perianal lesion, the risk of developing complications, especially incontinence, must be contrasted.

Anti-Bacterial Agents↗