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J M Church

Publications and source records attributed to J M Church.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

Surgery for the teenager with familial adenomatous polyposis: ileo-rectal anastomosis or restorative proctocolectomy?

Increasing numbers of polyposis registries have led to more young patients being diagnosed with familial adenomatous polyposis (FAP). To provide guidelines for selecting the appropriate surgical procedure in teenagers (10-19 years), we compared the results of colectomy and ileo-rectal anastomosis (IRA, n = 17 patients) to the results of restorative proctocolectomy and ileal pouch-anal anastomosis (IPAA, n = 7 patients). Charts were reviewed to obtain data on the operative technique, blood loss and transfusions, hospital stay (including the time for ileostomy closure), and early (within 30 days of surgery) and late complications. Functional results (bowel movements per 24 h, use of antidiarrheal drugs, seepage, and fecal incontinence) and quality of life were evaluated prospectively with a questionnaire and physical examination. The median follow-up time was 49 months (range, 6 to 95 months) after IRA, and 36 months after IPAA (range, 4 to 87 months). Although restorative proctocolectomy and IPAA, is a longer (5.75 vs 3.1 hours), more bloody (500 vs 300 mL blood loss), and more complex operation with a longer hospital stay (12 vs 7 days) than IRA (P = 0.008, P = 0.006, P = 0.02, respectively), no significant difference (P > 0.05) was found between groups concerning the complication rate or quality of life. For teenagers with FAP and rectal carpeting, large rectal adenomas, curable cancer in the upper two-thirds of the rectum, or who are unavailable for follow-up, we recommend a restorative proctocolectomy and IPAA. For the other patients, the decision whether to perform IRA or restorative proctocolectomy with IPAA depends on the patient's desire and the surgeon's skill.

Adenomatous Polyposis Coli

Safety of urgent restorative proctocolectomy with ileal pouch-anal anastomosis for fulminant colitis.

PURPOSE: Subtotal colectomy with ileostomy is the operation of choice for patients with fulminant colitis. Restorative proctocolectomy (RPC) with ileal pouch-anal anastomosis (IPAA) is preferred for patients who undergo elective surgery for ulcerative colitis. We retrospectively evaluated the safety of RPC with IPAA in patients with a moderate form of fulminant colitis. METHODS: A chart review of 737 patients who underwent RPC with IPAA for ulcerative and indeterminate colitis from 1983 through 1992 was performed. Moderate fulminant colitis was defined as acute disease requiring hospitalization and parenteral steroid therapy, but without hypotension (systolic blood pressure, < 100 mmHg), tachycardia (> 120 beats/min), or megacolon. RESULTS: Twelve patients with moderate fulminant colitis underwent urgent surgery (1.6 percent). They had been treated preoperatively for 5.1 +/- 2.3 days with intravenous high-dose steroids, total parenteral nutrition, and antibiotics. These patients had a shorter length of disease (P = 0.01), lower hemoglobin, hematocrit, and albumin (P = 0.001), and higher temperature (P = 0.002) and leukocyte count (P = 0.007) than patients undergoing elective surgery. No early septic complications occurred, although perianal abscess occurred in one patient and pouch-anal fistula in another patient, 13 and 14 months after surgery, respectively. CONCLUSION: In carefully selected, hemodynamically stable patients with fulminant colitis and without megacolon, RPC with IPAA can be safely performed.

Acute Disease

Pancreas-sparing duodenectomy: indications, surgical technique, and results.

BACKGROUND: Pancreatoduodenectomy, originally performed for malignancy of the pancreas and duodenum, is also commonly used for potentially malignant lesions. Because a normal pancreas should be spared, we investigated the concept of duodenectomy alone with the pancreas intact for diseases such as familial adenomatous polyposis syndrome. METHODS: Five patients underwent pancreas-sparing duodenectomy for nonmalignant lesions performed by means of meticulous detachment of the duodenum from the pancreas, transecting the bile and pancreatic ducts outside the duodenum. Reconstruction was accomplished by advancing the jejunum to anastomose end-to-end with the juxtapyloric duodenal cuff, implanting the bile and pancreatic ducts in a location corresponding to the native papilla. The hospital course, complications, and long-term follow-up status of all patients are reviewed in detail. RESULTS: No deaths occurred in this series. Delayed gastric emptying was seen in one patient and transient pancreatic fistula in another. Long-term endoscopic follow-up showed no stenosis of the ductal anastomoses. Endoscopic surveillance, including endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography, was not hampered by this technique of reconstruction. CONCLUSIONS: Pancreas-sparing duodenectomy is a practical operation for nonmalignant duodenal lesions where the pancreas is not involved by the disease process.

Adenomatous Polyposis Coli

Ileal pouch-anal anastomoses complications and function in 1005 patients.

BACKGROUND: Restorative proctocolectomy and ileal pouch-anal anastomosis (IPAA) has become an established surgery for patients with chronic ulcerative colitis and familial adenomatous polyposis. PURPOSE: The authors report the results of an 11-year experience of restorative proctocolectomy and IPAA at a tertiary referral center. METHODS: Chart review was performed for 1005 patients undergoing IPAA from 1983 through 1993. Preoperative histopathologic diagnoses were ulcerative colitis (n = 858), familial adenomatous polyposis (n = 62), indeterminate colitis (n = 75), and miscellaneous (n = 10). Information was obtained regarding patient demographics, type and duration of diseases, previous operations, and indications for surgery. Data were collected on surgical procedure and postoperative pathologic diagnosis. Early (within 30 days after surgery) and late complications were noted. Follow-up included an annual function and quality-of-life questionnaire, physical examination, and biopsies of the pouch and anal transitional zone. RESULTS: Of the 1005 patients (455 women), postoperative histopathologic diagnoses were as follows: ulcerative colitis (n = 812), familial adenomatous polyposis (n = 62), indeterminate colitis (n = 54), Crohn's disease (n = 67), and miscellaneous (n = 10). During a mean follow-up time of 35 months (range 1-125 months), histopathologic diagnoses were changed for 25 patients. The overall mortality rate was 1% (n = 10 patients, early = 4, late = 6); one death (0.1%) was related to pouch necrosis and sepsis. The overall morbidity rate was 62.7% (1218 complications in 630 patients; early, n = 27.5%; late, n = 50.5%). Septic complication and reoperation rates were 6.8% and 24%, respectively. The ileal pouch was removed in 34 patients (3.4%), and it is nonfunctional in 11 (1%). Functional results and quality of life were good to excellent in 93% of the patients with complete data (n = 645) and are similar for patients with ulcerative colitis, familial adenomatous polyposis, indeterminate colitis, and Crohn's disease. Patients who underwent operations from 1983 through 1988 have similar functional results and quality of life compared with patients who underwent operations after 1988. CONCLUSION: Restorative proctocolectomy with an IPAA is a safe procedure, with low mortality and major morbidity rates. Although total morbidity rate is appreciable, functional results generally are good and patient satisfaction is high.

Adenomatous Polyposis Coli

The ileal pouch-anal anastomosis in challenging patients: stretching the limits.

Total proctocolectomy and ileal pouch-anal anastomosis (IPAA) is the best option in the surgical treatment of ulcerative colitis, and for some patients with familial polyposis. Contraindications to the procedure include old age, obesity, weak sphincters, perianal sepsis and previous enterectomy. In this study the results of IPAA in five patients with one or more of these contraindications are presented and ways of dealing with them are discussed. All patients had a favourable outcome showing that such contraindications are relative, and IPAA may be attempted as long as patients are fully informed and understand the risks to which they are subject.

Adenomatous Polyposis Coli

Small bowel explosion: a complication of strictureplasty.

Explosion injury to the intestinal tract resulting from electrocautery is a rare occurrence. Only two small bowel explosions have been described previously. Here we describe an explosion of small bowel during strictureplasty in a patient with chronic obstructing Crohn's disease. Recommendations to avoid this disastrous complication include proximal decompression prior to incision and, in some cases, it may be wise to avoid electrocautery altogether.

Adult

Colonoscopy--how difficult, how painful?

Colonoscopy is sometimes painful for the patient and often difficult for the endoscopist, but it is hard to predict how difficult or painful the examination will be. The purpose of this study was to identify factors that influence difficulty and pain during colonoscopy. Some 1,284 consecutive patients undergoing office colonoscopy by three endoscopists were prospectively studied. A standard questionnaire was completed by the nursing staff, who assessed the degree of difficulty and pain associated with each exam on a four-point scale. There were 682 men and 551 women (sex not recorded in 51). There was no pain in 27%, mild pain in 39%, moderate pain in 25%, and severe pain in 9%. There was no difficulty in 25%, mild difficulty in 33%, moderate difficulty in 28%, and severe difficulty in 14%. Colonoscopy was significantly easier (P < 0.001, chi square) and less painful (P < 0.001, chi square) in patients after sigmoidectomy. It was more painful after hysterectomy (P < 0.05, chi square) and more difficult and painful in women than in men (P < 0.01, chi square). There were significant differences between endoscopists in the assessment of pain associated with colonoscopy. Most colonoscopies are associated with little or no pain (66%) and are easy or only mildly difficult to perform (58%). Patients who have had sigmoid resection are especially easy and painless to examine while women, especially after hysterectomy, are at higher risk of having a painful experience. Colonoscopy technique can influence the amount of pain experienced by the patient.

Colonoscopy

Use of laparoscopic techniques in colorectal surgery. Preliminary study.

PURPOSE: This study evaluated the feasibility and safety of laparoscopic bowel surgery performed by colorectal surgeons not previously experienced in laparoscopic biliary or appendiceal surgery. METHODS: Thirty-two patients underwent ileocolic resection/anastomosis (n = 12), loop ileostomy (n = 7), colostomy (n = 4), ileostomy takedown/ileorectal anastomosis (n = 3), subtotal colectomy/ileorectal anastomosis (n = 2), sigmoid resection (n = 2), or other procedures (n = 2). No curative cancer surgery was undertaken. RESULTS: Time to first bowel movement was one to eight (median, four) days. Length of stay ranged from 4 to 11 (median, 6) days. There were no major complications seen in follow-up from 6 to 15 (median, 7) months after surgery. CONCLUSIONS: Large intestinal and distal ileal surgery using laparoscopic techniques, performed by surgeons with training only in laparoscopic intestinal surgery, is feasible and safe. Faster recovery and need for less postoperative analgesia in laparoscopic surgery compared with conventional surgery cannot be surmised from this study. A randomized study design is needed to evaluate many of the differences between conventional and laparoscopic intestinal surgery.

Adolescent

Thoracic mesothelioma associated with abdominal mesenteric panniculitis.

Mesenteric panniculitis (MP) is characterized by an abdominal inflammatory reaction and mesenteric fat necrosis. Clinically, MP manifests as recurrent abdominal pain, pyrexia, and space-occupying peritoneal masses. We report a patient with MP, severe enough to require immunosuppressant treatment, who developed a recurrent pleural effusion. Malignant mesothelioma was identified in the pleural space 3 yr after initial pleural investigation. This case is the second report of pleural effusion associated with MP. It is the first report in which thoracic mesothelioma and MP occurred together. MP has been associated with other malignancies.

Adult

Complete colonoscopy: how often? And if not, why not?

OBJECTIVE: Colonoscopy completion rate is an easily measurable criterion of technical competency. Reporting of completion rates lacks uniformity, however, and few studies focus on colonoscopy completion alone. The purpose of this study is to establish criteria for consistency in the reporting of completion rates, so that colonoscopists are better able to use such reports to evaluate their own experience. METHODS: A prospective study of colonoscopy completion rate and reasons for incompletion was carried out for 2907 patients. Completion was defined as the colonoscope touching the end of the colon. Rates are reported as crude (all cases) and adjusted (excluding incompletions due to stool and disease). RESULTS: The crude completion rate was 93.6% and the adjusted rate was 98.8%. Reasons for incompletion were stool (n = 47), colonic disease (n = 97), and pain or tortuosity (n = 34). The crude completion rate was lower in women than in men (92.4% vs. 94.8%), lower in the very young (< 20 yr, 85.7%) and very old (> 80 yr, 88.9%), was < 90% in patients presenting with altered bowel habit, diarrhea, constipation, hemorrhage, inflammatory bowel disease, abdominal pain, or cancer, was only 53.8% in patients in intensive care units, was 84.1% in the author's first 127 cases, was lower in women post hysterectomy (92.8% vs. 98.3%), and was higher in patients who had had a colon resection [98.4% (right colectomy), 99.2% (left colectomy), 95.8% (intact colon)]. When adjusted rates were compared, most of those differences disappeared (except male vs. female, hysterectomy vs. no hysterectomy). CONCLUSIONS: Crude colonoscopy completion rates are affected by a number of factors that may make comparisons between colonoscopists difficult. The use of adjusted completion rates minimizes the effect of disease-related factors, allows completion rate to be a better reflection of technical ability, and may facilitate more uniform reporting of colonoscopy results.

Colonic Diseases

The differential diagnosis and comorbidity of hidradenitis suppurativa and perianal Crohn's disease.

Over the last 8 years, 61 patients with hidradenitis suppurativa (HS) have been treated at this institution. Twenty-four have also had a diagnosis of Crohn's disease (38%). This dual pathology is examined in detail in this retrospective review. There were 11 males and 13 females with a mean age of 39 years (range 18 to 75 years). The Crohn's disease was ileal in 1 patient, ileocolic in 4, and affected the large bowel only in 19. The diagnosis of Crohn's disease predated that of HS by an average of 3.5 years. At the time of review, 22 patients had a stoma, 23 had undergone laparotomy and 17 had lost their rectum. Hidradenitis suppurativa occurred in the perineal or perianal area in all patients but involved other sites in 20 cases. Skin grafting had been done in 9 and local procedures in 19 patients. Granulomas were found in excised skin in 6 cases but this finding was not associated with a poor outcome. At a mean follow-up of 3.2 years from the most recent surgery for HS (range 1 to 11 years) 11 were asymptomatic for HS, 11 had symptoms and no follow up was available in 2. These data show that HS may coexist with Crohn's proctocolitis, complicating the diagnosis and management of patients in whom it occurs. An increased appreciation of the possibility is recommended.

Adolescent

Our approach to the management of congenital presacral tumors in adults.

This study reviews the recent overall experience in one colorectal surgery department with congenital presacral tumors in adults. 24 patients greater than 21 years of age, who underwent curative resection between January 1980 and August 1992, were analyzed retrospectively. The growths were divided into two broad categories: developmental cysts and chordomas. The most common presenting symptom was pain (19/24). A preoperative evaluation regimen is outlined in the study and includes use of CT scanning, MRI imaging, and possibly the use of endoluminal ultrasound to document the relationship of presacral tumors to pelvic viscera. There were 20 developmental cysts and 4 chordomas treated in this series. 15 of 19 developmental cysts were excised by a posterior approach alone, 2 were excised by an anterior approach alone, and 3 were treated by a combined approach. Trans-sacral excision was carried out in 4 patients with developmental cysts. One chordoma was resected posteriorly and the other 3 through a combined anterior and posterior approach. Three recurrences were diagnosed after excision of developmental cysts at 8, 18, and 41 months postoperatively. Recurrence occurred in 3 of 4 chordoma patients after 25, 32, and 55 months. Reexcision was carried out in all patients. None of the developmental cyst cases developed a second recurrence but 2 of the 3 chordoma patients have recurred, but have undergone local irradiation, which has controlled their disease.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Adult

Ripstein procedure is an effective treatment for rectal prolapse without constipation.

The operation of choice for complete rectal prolapse is controversial. We reviewed 169 patients undergoing 185 surgical procedures for rectal prolapse over a 27-year period. The most common surgical procedure employed was the Ripstein procedure (n = 142) and is the focus of this report. Other surgical procedures used included resection rectopexy (n = 18), anterior resection (n = 7), Altemeier's (n = 9), Delorme's (n = 2), and anal encirclement (n = 7). The median age was 59 years (range, 12-94 years), and the female-to-male ratio was 5:1. The incidence of fecal incontinence, solitary rectal ulcer syndrome, and prior surgery elsewhere for rectal prolapse was 40 percent, 12 percent, and 19 percent, respectively. Operative mortality was 0.6 percent; morbidity was 16 percent. Median follow-up was 4.2 years (range, 1-15 years). Complete recurrence of prolapse after the Ripstein procedure was 8 percent; one-third of these patients recurred 3 to 14 years after surgery. Fecal incontinence improved after the Ripstein procedure or resection rectopexy in about half the patients. Persistence of prior constipation was more common after the Ripstein procedure than after resection rectopexy (57 percent vs. 17 percent; P = 0.03, chi-squared). Fifteen patients developed constipation for the first time after the Ripstein procedure. About one in three patients, irrespective of surgical procedures, remained dissatisfied with the final outcome despite anatomic correction of the prolapse. The Ripstein procedure has proven to be a safe procedure with good anatomic repair of the prolapse and may improve continence. In the presence of constipation, procedures other than the Ripstein procedure may be preferable.

Adolescent

Predicting the functional result of anastomoses to the anus: the paradox of preoperative anal resting pressure.

UNLABELLED: This article examines the effect of ileal pouch-anal (n = 134) and coloanal (n = 16) anastomoses on resting anal canal pressures in 150 patients. METHODS: Patients underwent anal manometry before ileal pouch-anal anastomosis (IPAA) and coloanal anastomosis (CAA) and again six weeks after ileostomy closure following these procedures. A water-perfused catheter system with four radial ports was used for manometry, pressures being recorded during both station and continuous pull through. RESULTS: Patients with IPAA were younger than those with CAA (34 years vs. 50 years) and had a different ratio of hand-to-stapled anastomosis (1:2.6 vs. 1.3:1). All CAA patients had had rectal cancer while IPAA patients suffered mainly from ulcerative colitis (n = 114) or familial polyposis (n = 10). The mean preoperative resting pressure for all patients was 79 mmHg (75-87, 95 percent confidence limit) and the mean fall in this pressure after surgery was 25 mmHg (-21 to -29, 95 percent confidence limit). There was no difference in preoperative pressure or fall between handsewn and stapled anastomoses, or between IPAA and CAA. CONCLUSION: There was a significant relationship between preoperative pressure and change in pressure that held true for all subgroups (change = -0.7 x preoperative pressure + 31, r = 0.69). Analysis of the functional results confirmed that patients with high preoperative pressure are at risk for severe falls after surgery and are not guaranteed a good result. Conversely, patients with low preoperative pressures may actually have an increase with surgery and are not always incontinent. Patients with low preoperative anal resting pressures should not be denied anastomosis to the anus if they are continent.

Adolescent

Clinical and pathologic factors associated with delayed diagnosis in solitary rectal ulcer syndrome.

Solitary rectal ulcer syndrome (SRUS) often goes unrecognized or is misdiagnosed. Of 98 patients with a final clinicopathologic diagnosis of SRUS, an initially incorrect diagnosis had been made in 25 patients (26 percent). In these 25 patients with a misdiagnosis, the median age was 43 years and the female-to-male ratio was 3.2:1. The median duration of incorrect diagnosis was five years (range, three months to 30 years), and seven patients received prednisone (> 30 mg/day) for a mistaken diagnosis of inflammatory bowel disease. The main clinical symptoms were rectal bleeding (84 percent) and a disturbance of bowel function (56 percent). Rectal prolapse was present in 13 patients. Original rectal biopsy specimens from 23 patients were reviewed; inadequate specimens and failure to recognize diagnostic features of SRUS contributed to delayed diagnosis in 13 and 10 patients, respectively. The most common clinicopathologic misdiagnoses in SRUS patients with rectal ulcers or mucosal hyperemia were Crohn's disease and mucosal ulcerative colitis. In patients with "polypoid" SRUS, diagnostic confusion was usually with a neoplastic polyp. Persistent bowel symptoms and rectal lesions led to review of the presentations and repeat biopsy directed toward the edge of the rectal ulcers or from within the polypoid or hyperemic rectal lesions, finally establishing the diagnosis of SRUS. Intractable symptoms led to surgery in 15 patients (60 percent), with symptomatic improvement in over two-thirds.

Adolescent

Long-term follow-up of strictureplasty in Crohn's disease.

Because Crohn's disease of the small bowel is often diffuse, strictureplasty has been advocated as an alternative or adjunct to resection(s) of strictured segments. We reviewed 116 patients with obstructive Crohn's disease undergoing 452 primary strictureplasties (Heineke-Mikulicz, 405; Finney, 47). The median age was 34 years (range, 13-72 years); the male-to-female ratio 1.4:1; and the median follow-up was three years (range, six months to seven years). Seventy-six patients (66 percent) had at least one previous small bowel resection. Perforative disease was present in 18 patients (15 percent), and synchronous resections were performed in 71 patients (61 percent). The median number of strictureplasties was three (range, 1-15). There was no mortality. Septic complications (intra-abdominal abscess/fistula) occurred in seven patients (6 percent), and reoperation for sepsis was needed in two patients. Relief of obstructive symptoms was achieved in 99 percent of the patients. After surgery, the median weight gain was 4 kg, and two-thirds of the patients were weaned off steroids. Symptomatic recurrence occurred in 28 patients (24 percent), and 17 patients (15 percent) needed reoperation. Rates of restricture and new stricture/perforative disease were 2.8 percent and 24 percent, respectively.

Adolescent