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Biomedical subjects

P Reissman

Publications and source records attributed to P Reissman.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources
PubMed1998

Reconstruction of replaced right hepatic artery, to implant a single-catheter port for intra-arterial hepatic chemotherapy.

Intra-arterial hepatic chemotherapy using an implantable subcutaneous port with a catheter inserted into the gastroduodenal artery is an acceptable treatment for patients with isolated, nonresectable liver metastases from colorectal cancer. Because of the common variations of hepatic arterial anatomy occurring in about one-half of the patients, this technique will result in complete perfusion of both hepatic lobes only in those with "classical" arterial anatomy (Michels type I). Many techniques have been described in these situations, usually using a dual-catheter port with the attendant risk of hepatic misperfusion and arterial thrombosis. We herein describe an alternative technique applicable to patients with a right hepatic artery arising from the superior mesenteric artery. In this technique the right hepatic artery is anastomosed end-to-end with the gastroduodenal artery, followed by implantation of a single-catheter port that is inserted into the splenic artery.

Adult↗
PubMed1997

Laparoscopic creation of stomas.

BACKGROUND: Some indications for laparoscopic bowel surgery are still controversial. However, the use of laparoscopic techniques for the treatment of benign disorders is less often challenged. Moreover, the morbidity of nonresectional procedures is less than that encountered with resectional cases. Therefore, stoma creation seems ideally suited to laparoscopy. The aim of our study was to assess the outcome of laparoscopic stoma creation. METHODS: All patients who underwent laparoscopic intestinal diversion were evaluated; parameters included age, gender, indication for the procedure, history of previous surgery, operative time, length of hospitalization, recovery of bowel function, and postoperative complications. RESULTS: Between March 1993 and January 1996, 32 patients of a mean age of 42.2 (range 19-72) years (14 males, 18 females) underwent elective laparoscopic fecal diversion (25 loop ileostomy, four loop colostomy, three end colostomy). Indications for fecal diversion were fecal incontinence (n = 11), Crohn's disease (n = 6), unresectable rectal cancer (n = 4), pouch vaginal fistula (n = 3), rectovaginal fistula (n = 2), colonic inertia (n = 2), radiation proctitis (n = 1), anal stenosis (n = 1), Kaposi's sarcoma of the rectum (n = 1), and tuberculous fistula (n = 1). Conversion was required in five patients (15.6%) due to the presence of adhesions (three), enterotomy (one), or colotomy (one). All of these five patients had undergone previous abdominal surgery and were operated on early in our experience. Major postoperative complications occurred in two patients (6%) and in both cases consisted of stoma outlet obstruction after construction of a loop ileostomy. One of the two patients had undergone prior surgery. This patient required reoperation, at which time a rotation of the terminal ileum at the stoma site was found. The other patient had a narrow fascial opening which was successfully managed with 2 weeks of self-intubation of the stoma. The mean operative time was 76 (range 30-210) min; mean length of hospitalization was 6.2 (range 2-13) days; stoma function started after a mean of 3.1 (range 1-6) days. Patients with previous abdominal surgery had a longer mean operative time (14/32; 117 min) compared to patients who had no previous surgery (18/32; 55 min) (p < 0.0002). These longer operative times and hospital stay were attributable to extensive enterolysis, which was required in some cases. CONCLUSION: In conclusion, laparoscopic creation of intestinal stomas is safe, feasible, and effective. Although the length of the procedure is longer in patients who have had prior surgery, previous surgery is not a contraindication, and even in these cases, a laparotomy can be avoided in the majority of patients. Lastly, care must be taken to ensure adequate fascial opening and correct limb orientation.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1997

Management of obliterating stricture after coloanal anastomosis.

We present an unconventional approach to the management of a severe stricture with complete luminal obliteration after a coloanal anastomosis which was protected with a diverting loop ileostomy. The colonoscope was inserted in an antegrade fashion into the defunctionalized limb of the loop ileostomy and advanced to the level of the stricture. Under colonoscopic vision, a Kelly clamp was carefully introduced transanally through the stricture into the proximal lumen. The strictured anastomosis was then dilated with calibrated Hegar dilators. Periodic dilatations followed by closure of the ileostomy completed the management. The technique obviated the need for a more extensive surgical procedure.

Aged↗
PubMed1997

Comparison of three perineal procedures for the treatment of rectal prolapse.

BACKGROUND: The optimal surgical procedure for the management of rectal prolapse is still under debate. Therefore, the aim of this study was to compare the short-term outcome of three perineal procedures in patients with rectal prolapse. METHODS: Between April 1989 and April 1995, all consecutive patients who had Delorme's procedure, perineal rectosigmoidectomy, or perineal rectosigmoidectomy with levatoroplasty for full-thickness rectal prolapse were clinically and physiologically assessed before and after surgery. A standard incontinence scoring system, based on the frequency and type of incontinence (0 = full continence, 20 = complete incontinence), was used to compare the results of each procedure. Additionally, morbidity and mortality and clinical and functional outcome were evaluated and compared. RESULTS: The study group of 61 patients who had perineal procedures for rectal prolapse included 55 women and 6 men, with a mean age of 75 years (range, 48 years to 101 years); 16 patients died of comorbid conditions between 3 months and 42 months after surgery. There were statistically significant differences among the groups relative to short-term recurrence rates, postoperative incontinence scores, mean resection length, coloanal anastomotic stricture, and leak. However, preoperative and postoperative anal manometry did not reveal statistically significant changes within or between the groups. CONCLUSIONS: Perineal rectosigmodectomy with levatoroplasty has the best short-term outcome for the treatment of rectal prolapse.

Aged↗
PubMed1996

Laparoscopic colorectal surgery: analysis of 140 cases.

BACKGROUND: This study was performed to prospectively assess the results of our first 140 consecutive patients who underwent laparoscopic or laparoscopic-assisted colorectal operations. METHODS: The parameters studied included the type and length of procedure, intra- and postoperative complications, conversion to open surgery, and length of ileus and hospitalization. RESULTS: 140 laparoscopic and laparoscopic-assisted procedures were performed between May 1991 and January 1995. The mean patient age was 48 (range 12-88) years; there were 78 males and 62 females. Indications for surgery included inflammatory bowel disease in 47, colorectal carcinoma in 19, diverticular disease in 17, polyps in 16, familial polyposis in 7, colonic inertia in 7, fecal incontinence in 11, sigmoidocele in 3, irradiation proctitis in 3, rectal prolapse in 2, intestinal lymphoma in 2, and miscellaneous conditions in 6. The procedures included 38 total abdominal colectomies (TAC) (ileoanal reservoir 28, ileorectal anastomosis 8 and end ileostomy 2); 70 segmental resections of the colon, small bowel, and rectum; 18 diverting stoma creations; 10 reversal of Hartmann's procedures; and 4 other procedures. In 15 cases, the laparoscopic procedure was converted to a laparotomy (11%); 31 patients (22%) sustained 37 complications, which included: enterotomies(7), hemorrhage(10), intraabdominal abscess(4), prolonged ileus(6), wound infection(4), intestinal obstruction(2), anastomotic leak(1), aspiration(1), cardiac arrhythmia(1), and upper intestinal bleeding(1); there was no mortality. The overall complication rate in TAC cases was significantly higher (42%) when compared to that of all other procedures (segmental resection 17%, others 9%), P < 0.05. The mean length of operating time was 4 (range 2.5-6.5) h for TAC, 2.6 (range 1.5-5.5) h for segmental colonic resections, and 1.7 (range 0.7-4) for all other procedures. The length of ileus was 3.5 (range 2-7) days after TAC, 3 (range 2-7) after the segmental resections and 2 (range 1-4) after the other procedures. The mean length of hospital stay was 6.8 (2-40) days (8.4, 6.5, and 6.3 days for the TAC, segmental resections, and other procedures, respectively). CONCLUSION: The feasibility of laparoscopic colorectal surgery has been well established. TAC is associated with a higher complication rate compared to other laparoscopic colorectal procedures.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1996

A constipation scoring system to simplify evaluation and management of constipated patients.

PURPOSE: Constipation is a common complaint; however, clinical presentation varies with each individual. The aim of this study was to assess a standard scoring system for evaluation of constipated patients. MATERIALS AND METHODS: All consecutive patients with idiopathic constipation who were referred for anorectal physiologic testing were assessed. A subjective constipation score was calculated based on a detailed questionnaire that included over 100 constipation-related symptoms. Based on the questionnaire, scores ranged from 0 to 30, with 0 indicating normal and 30 indicating severe constipation. The constipation score was then compared with the objective findings of the physiology tests, which include colonic transit time (CTT), anal manometry (AM), cinedefecography (CD), and electromyography (EMG). Colonic inertia was defined as diffuse marker delay on CTT without evidence of paradoxical contraction on AM, CD, or EMG. Pelvic outlet obstruction was defined as paradoxical puborectalis contraction, rectal prolapse or rectoanal intussusception, rectocele, or sigmoidocele. RESULTS: A total of 232 patients (185 females and 47 males) of a mean age of 64.9 (range, 14-92) years were evaluated. All patients had a score of more than 15; on evaluation of the significance of different symptoms in the constipation score with the Pearson's linear correlation test, 8 of 18 factors were identified as significant (P < 0.05). These factors included frequency of bowel movements, painful evacuation, incomplete evacuation, abdominal pain, length of time per attempt, assistance for evacuation, unsuccessful attempts for evacuation per 24 hours, and duration of constipation. All 232 patients had objective obstruction attributable to one or more of the following causes: paradoxical puborectalis contraction (81), significant rectocele or sigmoidocele (48), rectoanal intussusception (64), and rectal prolapse (9). CONCLUSION: The proposed constipation scoring system correlated well with objective physiologic findings in constipated patients to allow uniformity in assessment of the severity of constipation.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1996

Laparoscopic surgery in Crohn's disease. Indications and results.

BACKGROUND: An effort was made to assess the feasibility, safety, and outcome of laparoscopic procedures performed in patients with Crohn's disease. METHODS: A prospectively maintained laparoscopic database was analyzed regarding operation time, intra- and postoperative complications, conversion to laparotomy, and length of hospitalization.Fifty-one patients (23 males and 28 females) with a mean age of 36 (20-79) years underwent a laparoscopic or laparoscopic-assisted procedure for Crohn's disease. The indications included terminal ileitis in 31 patients, colitis in 11, perianal disease in four, duodenal Crohn's disease in three, and rectovaginal and rectourethral fistula in one patient each. Thirty-two patients underwent an ileocolic resection; total abdominal colectomy with ileorectal anastomosis was performed in six patients with end ileostomy in one, take down of end ileostomy and ileorectal anastomosis in three, duodenal bypass gastrojejunostomy in three, and loop ileostomy in six patients. RESULTS: The mean operating time was 2.4 (0.6-4.5) h and the mean length of hospital stay was 5.1 (3-18) days. Eight complications were noted in seven patients (14%), which included enterotomy in two patients, bleeding in two, stoma obstruction in two, pelvic sepsis in one, and efferent limb obstruction in one. The procedure was converted to laparotomy in seven patients (14%) due to a large inflammatory mass in five and to bleeding in two patients; there was no mortality. CONCLUSION: Laparoscopic surgery is a feasible, versatile, and safe modality in the surgical management of Crohn's disease. Despite the often-malnourished state of these steroid-dependent patients with intraabdominal inflammatory conditions, morbidity, procedural length, and length-of-hospitalization data are all similar to results previously reported for less-challenging laparoscopic colorectal procedures.

Adult↗
PubMed1996

Laparoscopic surgery in the management of inflammatory bowel disease.

BACKGROUND: The role of laparoscopic surgery in the treatment of various upper and lower gastrointestinal disorders is still under investigation. However, a variety of laparoscopic procedures may be applied in the treatment of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). PATIENTS AND METHODS: We present our initial results of laparoscopic and laparoscopic-assisted management of IBD in 72 consecutive patients (37 women and 35 men; mean age 36 years, range 20 to 79). The indications for surgery included: terminal ileitis in 29 patients, mucosal ulcerative colitis in 23 patients, Crohn's colitis in 11 patients, severe perianal Crohn's disease in 4 patients, duodenal Crohn's disease in 3 patients, Crohn's rectovaginal fistula in 1 patient, and rectourethral fistula in 1 patient. The procedures performed included: total abdominal colectomy (TAC) in 30 patients (22 with total proctocolectomy with ileoanal reservoir, 6 with TAC with ileorectal anastomosis, and 2 with TAC with end ileostomy), ileocolic resection in 30 patients, diverting loop ileostomy in 6 patients, closure of an end ileostomy as an ileorectal anastomosis in 3 patients who already underwent a TAC with end ileostomy, and duodenal bypass gastrojejunostomy in 3 patients. RESULTS: There were 16 complications in 13 (18%) patients: 3 enterotomies, 4 episodes of bleeding, 3 pelvic abscesses, 2 intestinal obstructions, 2 prolonged ileus, 1 anastomotic leak, and 1 efferent loop obstruction after gastrojejunostomy. However, only 3 patients required laparotomy for morbidity, and there was no mortality. In 7 (10%) patients, the laparoscopic procedure was converted to a laparotomy due to a large inflammatory mass with fistula in 4 patients, bleeding in 2 patients, and an enterotomy in 1 patient. The mean operating time was 2.9 hours (range 0.7 to 6) and the mean length of hospital stay was 6.5 days (range 3 to 19). When compared with ileocolic resection, total colectomy was associated with higher morbidity (30% versus 10%, P < 0.05) and longer hospitalization (8.7 days [range 4 to 19] versus 5.2 days [range 3 to 7], respectively; P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: According to this initial experience, laparoscopic surgery is a versatile and effective modality in the surgical management of inflammatory bowel disease in selected patients. However, laparoscopic total colectomy is associated with higher morbidity when compared with ileocolic resection.

Adult↗
PubMed1996

Blunt injury of the small intestine and mesentery--the trauma surgeon's Achilles heel?

Eighteen patients with small intestine or mesenteric injury following blunt abdominal trauma were operated over a 34-month period. Early diagnosis and surgery, less than 6 hours after admission, was achieved in 10 patients (56%), seven of whom had haemorrhagic shock and had positive diagnostic peritoneal lavage or ultrasonography on admission. Three haemodynamically stable patients had a diagnostic abdominal computed tomography. Diagnosis was delayed in eight patients (44%) resulting in a gap between admission and surgery that varied from 20 hours to 46 days. The delay was related to lack of suspicion of injuries in haemodynamically stable patients despite a seat-belt sign, or false negative abdominal computed tomography. Diagnosis was delayed in six of seven patients (86%) where the only injury on admission was an isolated intestinal or mesenteric injury. In 11 patients there were associated abdominal or other system injuries. Late diagnosis was associated with an increased morbidity and longer hospital stay, relating to intestinal and mesenteric injury. In conclusion, a seat belt sign is highly suspicious of intestinal or mesenteric injury. Computed tomography was unreliable in diagnosing blunt intestinal and mesenteric injuries, and if equivocal, should be followed by diagnostic peritoneal lavage if nonoperative management is selected. Delayed diagnosis is often related to isolation of intestinal and mesenteric injury and results in increased morbidity and hospital stay. Every attempt should be made to reach a diagnosis within six hours of admission to the trauma unit. A management algorithm is proposed.

Abdominal Injuries↗
PubMed1996

Functional outcome of the double stapled ileoanal reservoir in patients more than 60 years of age.

Total proctocolectomy with creation of an ileoanal reservoir (IAR) is currently the preferred surgical treatment of mucosal ulcerative colitis and familial adenomatous polyposis. However, the creation of an IAR on older patients is controversial and commonly avoided because of anticipated poor functional results and increased morbidity. We prospectively studied 140 consecutive patients who underwent a double stapled IAR (DSIAR) between 1988 and 1993. We compared the outcome of 14 patients (Group I) 60 years of age or older (mean 65, range 60-71 years; 10 males and 14 females), to 126 patients (Group II) under the age of 60 (mean 37, range 12-59 years; 80 males and 14 females). Mucosal ulcerative colitis and indeterminate colitis were noted, respectively, in 12 (93%) and 1 (7%) patients in Group I and in 94 (75%) and 5 (4%) patients in Group II. In Group II, 21 (16%) patients had familial adenomatous polyposis, and 6 (5%) had a postoperative diagnosis of Crohn's disease. Subjective functional results and anal manometry were assessed in all 14 patients in Group I (100%) and in 110 of the 117 patients in Group II (94%) whose stomas were closed at a mean followup of 24 (3-60) months. Manometry was per- formed before, and 2 and 12 months after surgery. Patients in Groups I and II reported a mean of 6.2 and 5.2 bowel movements during the day (P=NS), and 2 and 1.1 at night, respectively (P<0.05). A total of 12 (86%) patients in Group I and 104 (95%) in Group II reported perfect or almost perfect continence at night (P=NS), and 12 (93%) patients in Group I and 104 (95%) in Group II reported perfect or almost perfect continence during the day (P=NS). The preoperative mean and maximal resting pressures were similar in both groups (71.7 mmHg and 94 mmHG in Group I and 71.6 and 88 mmHg in Group II respectively; P=NS). Postoperative resting pressure changes were also similar in both groups P=NS), with a similar significant decline 2 months after surgery, which recovered by 12 months after surgery in both groups. There were no significant changes between the pre- and postoperative mean and maximal squeeze pressures in either group. The overall morbidity and mortality rates in Groups I and II were 21 and 0 per cent, and 21 and 0.8 per cent, respectively (P=NS). DSIAR in patients 60 years of age or older is as safe and is associated with as good functional and physiologic results as it is in younger patients. Thus, this procedure may be offered to older patients with expectation of good outcome.

Adenomatous Polyposis Coli↗
PubMed1996

Is complete laparoscopic colectomy superior to laparoscopic assisted colectomy?

Much debate has centered around what constitutes a true laparoscopic colon resection. Purists argue that intracorporeal division of the mesentery and anastomosis confer a benefit over a "laparoscopic assisted" procedure. The aim of this study was to further examine this issue. Data were prospectively collected on 102 consecutive laparoscopic colon resections. Five procedures were converted to open cases and were excluded from analysis. Procedures were divided into two groups. Group 1 (n = 34) consisted of complete laparoscopic procedures (no abdominal incision was made): abdominoperineal resection (3), Hartmann's reversal (3), end colostomy (7), low anterior resection (5), proctectomy (1), sigmoid colectomy (15). Group 2 (n = 63) consisted of laparoscopic "assisted" procedures (i.e., an incision was made to facilitate anastomosis, division of the mesentery, and/or specimen retrieval): Ileocolic resection (6), restorative proctocolectomy (26), right colectomy (19), subtotal colectomy/end ileostomy (5), subtotal colectomy/ileorectal anastomosis (7). Length of hospitalization and duration of postoperative ileus were compared. A subset analysis of right colectomy (intracorporeal mobilization and extracorporeal division of the mesentery and anastomosis) versus sigmoid colectomy (intracorporeal mobilization, division of the mesentery and anastomosis) was also performed. There were no statistically significant differences in length of hospital stay (Group 1, 7.47 +/- 2.75 days; Group 2, 7.78 +/- 5.55 days) or duration of postoperative ileus (Group 1, 3.24 +/- 1.56 days; Group 2, 3.68 +/- 1.58 days). Similarly, in the sigmoid colectomy versus right colectomy subset analysis, there were no statistically significant differences in length of hospital stay (sigmoid colectomy, 7.92 +/- 2.90 days; right colectomy, 6.40 +/- 1.50 days) or duration of postoperative ileus (sigmoid colectomy, 3.36 +/- 1.39 days; right colectomy, 3.18 +/- 1.07 days). Our data demonstrate that intracorporeal division of the mesentery and anastomosis confer no advantage over the laparoscopic assisted procedures. Data were prospectively collected on 102 consecutive laparoscopic colon resections. There were no statistically significant differences in length of hospital stay or duration of postoperative ileus regardless of whether intracorporeal or extracorporeal mesenteric division and anastomosis were undertaken. These data demonstrate that a completely laparoscopic procedure does not appear to offer any advantage as compared to a laparoscopic assisted one.

Abdomen↗
PubMed1996

Adhesion formation after laparoscopic anterior resection in a porcine model: a pilot study.

Although decreased adhesion formation is one of the accepted advantages of laparoscopic colorectal surgery, no prospective studies have been done to support this claim. Therefore, we prospectively assessed adhesion formation following laparoscopic anterior resection of the rectum in a porcine model. Five domestic female pigs underwent the procedure with a double-stapled intracorporeal anastomosis. After completion of the laparoscopic procedure, 50 cm of ileum was retrieved through the right lower port site. Controlled serosal abrasion of the antimesenteric surface was performed using a fresh knife. The abraded loop was returned into the peritoneal cavity and the fascia closed at all port sites. All animals underwent a midline laparotomy 3 weeks later to assess adhesions using a 0-3 score according to the density vascularity, and extent of adhesions. All animals survived the study period. The mean level of the anastomosis was 8 cm (range, 7-10) above the anal verge; all anastomoses were intact and completely healed. None of the animals had adhesions to the port sites. The anastomotic site was completely free of adhesions in four animals, and only one animal (20%) had grade 1 adhesions between the urine horns and the anastomosis. Conversely, all animals had adhesions of the abraded loop involving 60 cm (range, 40-75) of bowel and 7 cm (range, 4-9) of the abdominal wall (remote to the port sites); no other adhesions were noted. In this pilot study, serosal abrasion of the small bowel resulted in severe adhesion formation in the porcine model. However, laparoscopic anterior resection of the rectum in the same animals was associated with only minimal insignificant adhesions. Furthermore, unlike in laparotomy incisions, adhesions to port sites did not occur.

Abdomen↗
PubMed1996

Outcome of laparoscopic colorectal surgery in older patients.

The object of this study was to assess the outcome of laparoscopic colorectal surgery in patients >60 years of age and compare it to a younger group of patients who underwent similar procedures. All consecutive patients who underwent a laparoscopic or laparoscopic-assisted procedure were evaluated. The parameters analyzed included gender, indication for surgery, procedure, complications, conversions, length of ileus, length of hospitalization, and comorbidity. The results of patients 60 years of age or older were compared to a procedure-matched group of younger patients. Between August 1991 and August 1995, 165 patients underwent a laparoscopic or laparoscopic-assisted colorectal procedure. Thirty-six patients were 60 years of age or older [mean age, 73 (60-88) years; 17 males and 19 females] and were compared with 36 younger patients [mean age, 44 (20-58) years; 13 males and 23 females]. The indications for surgery included Crohn's disease in 14 patients, polyps in 23, diverticular disease in 15, carcinoma in 11, fecal incontinence in 4, rectal prolapse in 2, radiation proctitis in 2, and sigmoidocele in 1. Identical procedures were performed in each group including right colectomy or ileocolic resection in 17 patients, sigmoidectomy in 14, loop ileostomy in 3, loop colostomy in 1, and abdominoperineal resection in 1 patient. Fourteen patients (38%) in the elderly group had comorbid conditions including ischemic heart disease (3), chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (3), hypertension (2), chronic renal failure (2), atherosclerotic vascular disease (2), congestive heart failure (1), and diabetes (1). All patients were cleared for surgery by their respective specialists. There were no statistically significant differences between the younger and older groups relative to the incidence of complications (11 vs 14%, respectively) and conversion (8 vs 11%, respectively) or the length of ileus (2.8 vs 4.2 days, respectively) or hospitalization (5.2 vs 6.5 days, respectively) (P = NS for all). There was no mortality in either group. The outcome of laparoscopic colorectal surgery in older patients is similar to that noted in younger patients. Advanced age should not be a contraindication to laparoscopic colorectal surgery.

Adult↗
PubMed1995

[Kidney transplantation from living, related donors].

Kidney transplantation is the best treatment for selected end-stage renal patients. The shortage of cadaveric organs for transplantation has led to the development of a protocol for kidney transplantation from living, related donors. In the past 20 years, 58 living, related kidney transplantations were done in our department. Mean patient age was 30 +/- 10 (SD) years and mean donor age was 36 +/- 10. There were 34 transplantations between brothers or sisters, 15 from parent to child, 4 between cousins, 4 between spouses and 1 from son to father. Mean follow-up time was 4 years. 1 and 5 years after transplantation, patient survival rates were 85% and 80%, respectively, graft survival rates were 85% and 75%. The introduction of cyclosporin-A as an immunosuppressive agent in 1985 led to improvement in graft survival rates: from 77% and 51% after 1 and 5 years, respectively, to 88% and 84%. No correlation between HLA match or patient's age and graft survival rates was found. We conclude that living, related donor transplantation is effective for suitable cases of end-stage renal disease. It should be recommended to patients who have a healthy, interested family member.

Adult↗
PubMed1995

Colectomy as treatment for constipation in selected patients.

The aim of this study was to conduct a prospective assessment of the results of total abdominal colectomy and ileorectal anastomosis (TAC) in patients with colonic inertia. Overall, 416 patients were evaluated for chronic constipation. Of the patients 54 (13 per cent) had colonic inertia, defined as diffuse marker delay during transit study without paradoxical puborectalis contraction on cinedefaecography or electromyography. All 54 patients (42 women and 12 men), with a mean age of 49 (range 17-78) years, underwent TAC. Preoperative bowel frequency was a mean of one every 8 days, requiring large doses of laxatives, enemas or both. There was no major postoperative morbidity; five patients were readmitted due to bowel obstruction, three for successful conservative management while the other two required enterolysis. After a mean follow-up of 27 (range 2-51) months these 54 patients reported a mean frequency of spontaneous bowel movements of 3.7 (range 1-10) per day. 'Excellent' or 'good' outcome was reported by 51 patients (94 per cent). TAC can be performed with acceptable morbidity and 94 per cent of patients will have satisfactory improvement in bowel habit.

Adolescent↗