Anal plugs and retrograde colonic irrigation are helpful in fecal incontinence or constipation

AIM： To evaluate the feasibility, clinical effect and predicting factors for favorable outcome of treatment with anal plugs in fecal incontinence and retrograde colonic irrigation （RCI） in patients with fecal incontinence or constipation.METHODS： Patients who received treatment with an anal plug or RCI between 1980 and 2005 were investigated with a questionnaire.RESULTS： Of the 201 patients （93 adults, 108 children）, 101 （50%） responded. Adults： anal plugs （8）, five stopped immediately, one stopped after 20 mo and two used it for 12-15 too. RCl （40, 28 fecal incontinence, 12 constipation）, 63% are still using it （mean 8.5 years）, 88% was satisfied. Younger adults （〈 40 years） were more satisfied with RCI （94 % vs 65%, P = 0.05）. Children： anal plugs （7）, 5 used it on demand for an average of 2.5 years with satisfactory results, one stopped immediately and one after 5 years. RCI （26 fecal incontinence, 22 constipation）, 90% are still using it （mean time 6.8 years） and felt satisfied. Children tend to be more satisfied （P = 0.001）. Besides age, no predictive factors for success were found. There was no difference in the outcome between patients with fecal incontinence or constipation.CONCLUSION： RCI is more often applied than anal plugs and is helpful in patients with fecal incontinence or constipation, especially for younger patients. Anal plugs can be used incidentally for fecal incontinence, especially in children.

Is colonic lavage a suitable alternative for left-sided colonic emergencies?

BACKGROUND The use of intra-operative colonic lavage(IOCL)with primary anastomosis remains controversial in the emergency left-sided large bowel pathologies,with alternatives including Hartmann’s procedure,manual decompression and subtotal colectomy.AIM To compare the peri-operative outcomes of IOCL to other procedures.METHODS Electronic databases were searched for articles employing IOCL from inception till July 13,2020.Odds ratio and weighted mean differences(WMD)were estimated for dichotomous and continuous outcomes respectively.Single-arm meta-analysis was conducted using DerSimonian and Laird random effects.RESULTS Of 28 studies were included in this meta-analysis,involving 1142 undergoing IOCL,and 634 other interventions.IOCL leads to comparable rates of wound infection when compared to Hartmann’s procedure,and anastomotic leak and wound infection when compared to manual decompression.There was a decreased length of hospital stay(WMD=-7.750;95%CI:-13.504 to-1.996;P=0.008)compared to manual decompression and an increased operating time.Single-arm meta-analysis found that overall mortality rates with IOCL was 4%(CI:0.03-0.05).Rates of anastomotic leak and wound infection were 3%(CI:0.02-0.04)and 12%(CI:0.09-0.16)respectively.CONCLUSION IOCL leads to similar rates of post-operative complications compared to other procedures.More extensive studies are needed to assess the outcomes of IOCL for emergency left-sided colonic surgeries.