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N S Williams

Publications and source records attributed to N S Williams.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2006

Third-party prospective evaluation of patient outcomes after dynamic graciloplasty.

BACKGROUND: Dynamic graciloplasty (DGP) is a complex procedure designed to improve bowel function in patients with end-stage faecal incontinence. Outcomes of DGP were examined in comparison with stoma formation or continued medical management. METHODS: This third-party evaluation comprised a prospective case-comparison study of patient-based and clinical outcomes at a London hospital. Forty-nine patients who underwent DGP during 5 years from 1997 were compared with 87 patients with similar bowel disorders who did not undergo DGP. Outcome measures were quality of life (QoL), symptoms, anxiety and depression. RESULTS: At 2 years after surgery, bowel-related QoL and continence had improved by more than 20 per cent compared with the preoperative status for two-thirds of patients who had DGP (P < 0.001). Two-thirds were continent all or most of the time, although one-third experienced disordered bowel evacuation. Large deteriorations on the Nottingham Health Profile pain score occurred in 11 of 34 patients who had DGP, compared with seven of 57 patients in comparison groups (P = 0.027). Patients in comparison groups experienced no significant changes in measured outcomes over the 2 years of follow-up. CONCLUSION: Although DGP is associated with a high level of morbidity, it deserves consideration as an alternative to life with severe and refractory faecal incontinence or stoma formation in people in whom conventional treatments have failed.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2006

The Colorectal Development Unit: impact on functional outcome for the electrically stimulated gracilis neoanal sphincter.

OBJECTIVE: A Colorectal Development Unit (CDU) was established to treat patients with end stage faecal incontinence with the electrically stimulated gracilis neoanal sphincter (ESGN). The aim of this study was to investigate the impact of the CDU on functional outcome and complications. METHODS: From March 1997 to March 2003, 53 patients underwent ESGN formation. Results were compared with 65 patients undergoing ESGN surgery prior to the establishment of the unit (pre-CDU) between 1988 and 1997, which were similar with regard to age, sex, aetiology and follow-up. RESULTS: Thirty-three (70%) CDU patients had a good functional outcome defined as continence to solid and liquid stool, a significant improvement when compared to the pre-CDU group, successful in 29 (45%) (P = 0.01). Episodes of technical complications leading to stimulator replacement were significantly reduced, from 25 to 3 over time (P < 0.001). Severe septic episodes were significantly reduced from 21 to four (P = 0.003) but there was no significant change in the incidence of postoperative evacuatory dysfunction. CONCLUSION: Since setting up a CDU, a successful outcome has been achieved in 33 (70%) of 47 patients undergoing ESGN surgery, which represents a significant improvement over time. This is probably related to improved patient assessment and selection, more reliable equipment and increased operative and peri-operative experience that come with a multidisciplinary team approach.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2005

Rectal sensorimotor dysfunction in patients with urge faecal incontinence: evidence from prolonged manometric studies.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Although external anal sphincter dysfunction is the major cause of urge faecal incontinence, approximately 50% of such patients have evidence of rectal hypersensitivity and report exaggerated stool frequency and urgency. The contribution of rectosigmoid contractile activity to the pathophysiology of this condition is unclear, and thus the relations between symptoms, rectal sensation, and rectosigmoid motor function were investigated. METHODS: Fifty two consecutive patients with urge faecal incontinence, referred to a tertiary surgical centre, and 24 volunteers, underwent comprehensive anorectal physiological investigation, including prolonged rectosigmoid manometry. Patients were classified on the basis of balloon distension thresholds into those with rectal hypersensitivity (n = 27) and those with normal rectal sensation (n = 25). Automated quantitative analysis of overall rectosigmoid contractile activities and, specifically, high amplitude contractions and rectal motor complex activity was performed. RESULTS: External anal sphincter dysfunction was similar in both patient groups. Overall, phasic activity and high amplitude contraction frequency were greater, and rectal motor complex variables significantly altered, in those with rectal hypersensitivity. Symptoms, more prevalent in the rectal hypersensitivity group, were also more often associated with rectosigmoid contractile events. For individuals, reduced compliance and increased rectal motor complex frequency were only observed in patients with rectal hypersensitivity. CONCLUSIONS: We have identified a subset of patients with urge faecal incontinence-namely, those with rectal hypersensitivity-who demonstrated increased symptoms, enhanced perception, reduced compliance, and exaggerated rectosigmoid motor activity. Comprehensive assessment of rectosigmoid sensorimotor function, in addition to evaluation of anal function, should be considered in the investigation of patients with urge faecal incontinence.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2005

EXternal Pelvic REctal SuSpension (Express procedure) for rectal intussusception, with and without rectocele repair.

BACKGROUND: The results of conventional treatment for rectal intussusception and rectocele are unpredictable. The aim was to develop a less invasive surgical approach and to evaluate outcome in selected patients. METHODS: Seventeen patients (13 women; median age 47 (range 20-67) years) with rectal evacuatory dysfunction and rectal intussusception, 13 of whom had a rectocele, were selected. The intussusception was corrected by external pelvic suspension of the rectum, using collagen strips attached to the rectal wall and pubis. The rectocele was repaired with a collagen patch. Patients were assessed before and 6 months after surgery by symptom and quality of life questionnaires, anorectal physiological investigation and proctography, and were followed up for a median of 12 months. RESULTS: Sepsis requiring exploration occurred in two patients but there was no extrusion or need to remove the collagen. Of the 15 patients assessed after surgery, total symptom scores were significantly decreased (P < 0.001) and quality of life scores improved (P < 0.001). Proctographically, the degree of intussusception was improved in ten patients; six patients had normal postoperative proctograms. The rectocele was reduced in size in all patients, and was not demonstrable in eight. CONCLUSION: An effective procedure for rectal intussusception and rectocele has been developed in a selected group of patients with marked evacuatory symptoms.

Adult↗
PubMed2005

Rectal intussusception in symptomatic patients is different from that in asymptomatic volunteers.

BACKGROUND: Rectal intussusception is a common finding at evacuation proctography in both symptomatic and asymptomatic individuals. Little information exists, however, as to whether intussusception morphology differs between patients with evacuatory dysfunction and healthy volunteers. METHODS: Thirty patients (19 women; median age 44 (range 21-76) years) with disordered rectal evacuation, in whom an isolated intussusception was seen on proctography, were studied. Various morphological parameters were measured, and compared with those from 11 asymptomatic controls (six women; median age 30 (range 24-38) years) found, from 31 volunteers, to have rectal intussusception. Intussusceptum thickness greater than 3 mm was designated as full thickness. Intussuscepta impeding evacuation were deemed to be occluding. RESULTS: Twenty-two patients had full-thickness intussusception, compared with two controls (P = 0.003). Intussusceptum thickness was significantly greater in the symptomatic group (anterior component: P = 0.004; posterior: P = 0.011). Twenty patients in the symptomatic group, but only three subjects in the control group, had a mechanically occluding intussusception (P = 0.043), although only three patients demonstrated evacuatory dynamics outside the normal range. CONCLUSION: Rectal intussusception in patients with evacuatory dysfunction is more advanced morphologically than that seen in asymptomatic controls; it is predominantly full thickness in patients and mucosal in controls. However, caution is required when selecting patients for intervention based solely on radiological findings.

Adult↗
PubMed2005

Medium-term results of vertical reduction rectoplasty and sigmoid colectomy for idiopathic megarectum.

BACKGROUND: Vertical reduction rectoplasty (VRR) was devised specifically to address the physiological abnormalities present in the rectum of patients with idiopathic megarectum (IMR). This study evaluated the medium-term clinical and physiological results of VRR. METHODS: VRR and sigmoid colectomy was performed in ten patients with IMR and constipation (six women). Patients were evaluated before and a median of 60 (range 28-74) months after surgery by assessment of symptoms using scoring systems and anorectal physiological measurements. Independent, detailed postoperative evaluation of rectal diameter, compliance, and sensory and evacuatory function was performed. RESULTS: There were no deaths or late complications. Symptoms recurred necessitating permanent ileostomy formation in two patients. Median (range) constipation scores improved from 22 (18-27) before to 10 (0-24) after surgery (P = 0.016). Median (range) bowel frequency increased from 1.5 (0.2-7) to 7 (0.5-21) per week (P = 0.016). Rectal diameter, compliance and sensory function were normal in seven of eight patients after surgery. Evacuatory function and colonic transit were each normalized in two of eight patients after VRR. CONCLUSION: VRR corrected rectal diameter, compliance and sensory function in most patients, and clinical benefit was sustained in the medium term. The procedure was associated with a low morbidity, and no mortality and should be considered in the surgical management of IMR.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2005

External pelvic rectal suspension (the Express procedure) for full-thickness rectal prolapse: evolution of a new technique.

OBJECTIVE: The Délorme's operation for rectal prolapse is a safe procedure but has a high recurrence rate. We aimed to develop an operation akin to it, but designed to reduce this deficit. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Thirty-one consecutive patients with rectal prolapse were included in the study. Initially, a conventional Délorme's procedure was performed and sutures or strips of Gore-Tex were attached circumferentially to the apex of the prolapse, tunneled subcutaneously, and anchored to the external surface of the pelvis. Subsequently, the procedure was modified. Acellular porcine collagen strips were used and buried within the apex without plication of the denuded rectal musculature. Patients were formally assessed preoperatively and four months postoperatively by symptom and quality of life questionnaires and subsequently by regular clinical review. RESULTS: In the Gore-Tex group (N = 11; males:females = 10:1; mean age, 61 years) three patients underwent suture repair and eight had strip fixation. All suture repairs developed sepsis and one patient had a recurrence. Seven of the strip fixations (88 percent) developed sepsis that resulted in implant extrusion. There was one full-thickness and one mucosal recurrence after a median follow-up of 25 months. In the collagen group (N = 20; males:females = 2:18; mean age, 63 years), sepsis occurred in four patients, requiring surgical intervention in one patient (5 percent) (cf Gore-Tex group, P = 0.002). There was one mucosal and three full-thickness (15 percent) recurrences after a median follow-up of 14 months (cf Gore-Tex group, P = not significant). Significant improvements in symptom and quality of life scores were recorded in both groups at four months. CONCLUSION: A new, minimally invasive perineal procedure for rectal prolapse has been developed and initial data testify to its relative safety provided collagen is used. It remains to be seen whether long-term recurrence rates will be lower than those of conventional perineal procedures.

Aged↗
PubMed2004

Open-magnet MR defaecography compared with evacuation proctography in the diagnosis and management of patients with rectal intussusception.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to determine whether open-magnet magnetic resonance (MR) defaecography could provide more useful clinical information than evacuation proctography (EP) alone in the evaluation of a cohort of patients with full-thickness rectal intussusception and could assist in decisions concerning management. METHODS: Ten patients (4 male; median age 43, range 30-65) with symptomatic circumferential rectal intussusception diagnosed on EP, underwent open-magnet MR defaecography. Pathologies visible with each technique were recorded and 12 parameters of anorectal configuration and morphology measured and compared. RESULTS: There was discordance in the diagnosis of rectal intussusception in three cases. In another two patients, MR defaecography demonstrated mucosal descent only. Measurements of anorectal configuration and morphology were similar between techniques; only rectal size and lateral dimensions of the rectocoele were significantly different, being smaller on MR defaecography than EP. Two patients were shown on MR defaecography to have significant bladder descent and two female patients had significant vaginal descent. CONCLUSION: EP remains the first line investigation for the diagnosis of rectal intussusception, but may not distinguish mucosal from full-thickness descent. MR defaecography further complements EP by giving information on movements of the whole pelvic floor, 30% of the patients studied having associated abnormal anterior and/or middle pelvic organ descent. If surgery is planned for patients with rectal intussusception, MR defaecography provides useful information regarding the presence and degree of anterior pelvic compartment descent that may need to be addressed if a good functional outcome is to be achieved.

Adult↗
PubMed2003

Sensory fibres expressing capsaicin receptor TRPV1 in patients with rectal hypersensitivity and faecal urgency.

BACKGROUND: Faecal urgency and incontinence with rectal hypersensitivity is a distressing, unexplained disorder that is inadequately treated. We aimed to determine whether expression of the heat and capsaicin receptor vanilloid receptor 1 (TRPV1 or VR1) was changed in rectal sensory fibres, and to correlate nerve fibre density with sensory abnormalities. METHODS: We compared full-thickness rectal biopsy samples from nine patients with physiologically characterised rectal hypersensitivity with tissue samples from 12 controls. Sensory thresholds to rectal balloon distension and heating the rectal mucosa were measured before biopsy. We assessed specimens with immunohistochemistry and image analysis using specific antibodies to TRPV1; nerve growth factor (NGF) receptor tyrosine kinase A; glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF); neuropeptides calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) and substance P; the related vanilloid receptor-like protein (VRL) 2; glial markers S-100 and glial fibrillary acid protein (GFAP); and the nerve structural marker peripherin. FINDINGS: In rectal hypersensitivity, nerve fibres immunoreactive to TRPV1 were increased in muscle, submucosal, and mucosal layers: in the mucosal layer, the median% area positive was 0.44 (range 0.30-0.59) in patients who were hypersensitive and 0.11 (0.00-0.21) in controls (p=0.0005). The numbers of peripherin-positive fibres also increased in the mucosal layer (hypersensitive 3.00 [1.80-6.50], controls 1.20 [0.39-2.10]: (p=0.0002). The increase in TRVP1 correlated significantly with the decrease in rectal heat (p=0.03) and the distension (p=0.02) sensory thresholds. The thresholds for heat and distension were also significantly correlated (p=0.0028). Expression of nerve fibres positive for GDNF (p=0.001) and tyrosine kinase A (p=0.002) was also increased, as were cell bodies of the submucosal ganglia immunoreactive to CGRP (p=0.0009). INTERPRETATION: Faecal urgency and rectal hypersensitivity could result from increased numbers of polymodal sensory nerve fibres expressing TRPV1. The triggering factor or factors remain uncertain, but drugs that target nerve terminals that express this receptor, such as topical resiniferatoxin, deserve consideration.

Adult↗
PubMed2003

Clinical and physiological findings, and possible aetiological factors of rectal hyposensitivity.

BACKGROUND: Rectal hyposensitivity (RH) relates to insensitivity of the rectum on anorectal physiological investigation and appears common in functional bowel disorders. The clinical significance of this physiological abnormality is unclear. METHOD: RH was defined as one or more sensory threshold volumes raised beyond the normal range (mean plus two standard deviations) on rectal balloon distension. Clinical information and results of other anorectal physiological investigations were evaluated in 261 patients with RH. RESULTS: Patients with RH most commonly presented with constipation (48 per cent), constipation and incontinence in combination (27 per cent), or faecal incontinence (20 per cent). Thirty-eight per cent of patients had a history of previous pelvic surgery, 22 per cent a history of anal surgery and 13 per cent a history of spinal trauma. In patients with RH presenting with symptoms of constipation or incontinence, impaired rectal sensation was the only abnormality on physiological investigation in 48 per cent and 31 per cent respectively. CONCLUSION: Patients with RH display marked heterogeneity in terms of presenting symptoms. The exact causes of RH are unknown, but there is evidence to suggest that pelvic nerve injury and spinal trauma are possible aetiological factors. RH appears important in the aetiology of both constipation and faecal incontinence, and may be useful as a predictor of surgical outcome.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2003

Use of a continent colonic conduit for treatment of refractory evacuatory disorder following construction of an electrically stimulated gracilis neoanal sphincter.

BACKGROUND: This study reports the outcome from the addition of a continent colonic conduit (CCC) to an electrically stimulated gracilis neoanal sphincter in patients with severe evacuatory disorder following formation of a neosphincter for end-stage faecal incontinence. METHODS: One hundred and twenty patients had an electrically stimulated gracilis neoanal sphincter constructed for end-stage faecal incontinence. Seven patients developed severe evacuatory disorders; construction of a CCC was required in six patients and an antegrade continence enema procedure in one. RESULTS: Median follow-up of the seven patients was 77 (range 6-96) months. Six patients with evacuatory disorders had a successful outcome, defined as continence to solid and liquid stool as well as correction of the evacuatory disorder. A stoma was formed in one patient. Patients who had previously undergone anorectal reconstructive surgery were more likely to develop an evacuatory disorder following construction of an electrically stimulated gracilis neoanal sphincter than patients operated on for other reasons (chi2 = 28.13, 1 d.f., P < 0.001). CONCLUSION: Construction of a CCC is a useful technique for the majority of patients with severe evacuatory disorders following the formation of an electrically stimulated gracilis neoanal sphincter, for whom the only alternative would be an end stoma. A CCC may be incorporated with construction of an electrically stimulated gracilis neoanal sphincter in patients at significant risk of postoperative severe evacuatory disorders.

Adult↗
PubMed2003

Automated quantitative analysis of nocturnal jejunal motor activity identifies abnormalities in individuals and subgroups of patients with slow transit constipation.

OBJECTIVE: Small bowel dysmotility has previously been demonstrated in some patients with slow transit constipation (STC), suggesting a generalized intestinal disorder. However, no study has addressed whether the incidence of small intestinal dysfunction differs between subgroups of patients in this heterogeneous population. Using appropriate methodology, we aimed to determine prospectively the proportion of individuals with abnormal small bowel motility, and to assess whether heterogeneity in terms of pattern of colonic transit delay (based on (111)In diethylene-triamine-pentaacetic acid (DTPA) isotope scintigraphy), or mode of onset (based on clinical history) is of importance. METHODS: Thirty-seven patients with STC underwent 24-h ambulatory jejunal manometry; data were compared with those obtained in 38 healthy controls. Automated quantitative analysis of seven variables of the nocturnal migrating motor complex was performed, to assess whether differences existed between groups, and whether individual patients had evidence of small intestinal dysmotility, defined as two or more measures of migrating motor complex variables outside the normal range. Four variables differed significantly between STC patients and controls: in phase III, propagation was slower, duration was longer, and contraction amplitude was higher; in phase II, contraction frequency was increased. Seven of 24 patients with a generalized pattern of colonic transit delay had abnormal small bowel motility compared with none of 13 with a left-sided delay (p < 0.04). These included four patients with chronic idiopathic symptoms and three with acquired symptoms. Approximately one third of patients with a generalized delay in colonic transit had evidence of jejunal enteric neuromuscular dysfunction. Individual patients with a left-sided colonic delay did not satisfy the criteria for nocturnal small bowel dysmotility, but as a group, some differences were noted from controls. In contrast to previous reports, evidence of generalized enteric dysmotility may be present irrespective of the mode of onset.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2002

Idiopathic slow transit constipation and megacolon are not associated with neurturin mutations.

Chronic idiopathic slow-transit constipation (ISTC) and idiopathic megacolon (IMC) are early-onset gastrointestinal motility disorders of unknown aetiology. The gene encoding the neurotrophic factor neurturin may be a candidate for these disorders, as neurturin-deficient mice have a similar enteric phenotype. In the present study, we tested this hypothesis. Genomic DNA from 26 cases of chronic idiopathic STC [with a family history of constipation in 15 (58%) and Hirschsprung's disease in two (8%)], and five cases of IMC [two familial (40%)] was screened by direct DNA sequencing using the fluorescent dideoxy terminator method. Results were compared with published sequence data and 24 control DNAs. Our results revealed several previously unreported common sequence polymorphisms, but overall frequencies were comparable between patients and controls. We conclude that mutation of neurturin is not a frequent cause of ISTC or IMC.

Adult↗
PubMed2002

Recent innovations in the management of fecal incontinence.

The importance of having a reproducible scoring system to objectively assess the severity of fecal incontinence and its response to treatment is stressed, and a number of methods are described. The approach to conservative treatment and investigation is outlined. Recent advances in the surgical management of fecal incontinence including the electrically stimulated gracilis neosphincter, sacral nerve stimulation, the artificial anal sphincter, internal anal sphincter augmentation, rectal augmentation, and antegrade colonic irrigation are described in detail.

Anal Canal↗