Botulinum toxin associated with fissurectomy and anoplasty for hypertonic chronic anal fissure: A case-control study

BACKGROUND Lateral internal sphincterotomy is still the approach of choice for the treatment of chronic anal fissure(CAF)with internal anal sphincter(IAS)hypertonia,but it is burdened by high-risk postoperative faecal incontinence(FI).Sphincter saving procedures have recently been reconsidered as treatments to overcome this risk.The most employed procedure is fissurectomy with anoplasty,eventually associated with pharmacological sphincterotomy.AIM To evaluate whether fissurectomy and anoplasty with botulinum toxin injection improves the results of fissurectomy and anoplasty alone.METHODS We conducted a case-control study involving 30 male patients affected by CAF with hypertonic IAS who underwent fissurectomy and anoplasty with V-Y cutaneous flap advancement.The patients were divided into two groups:Those in group I underwent surgery alone,and those in group II underwent surgery and a botulinum toxin injection directly into the IAS.They were followed up for at least 2 years.The goals were to achieve complete healing of the patient and to assess the FI and recurrence rate along with manometry parameters.RESULTS The intensity and duration of post-defecatory pain decreased significantly in both groups of patients starting with the first defecation,and this reduction was higher in group II.Forty days after surgery,we achieved complete wound healing in all the patients in group II but only in 80%of the patients in group I(P<0.032).We recorded 2 cases of recurrence,one in each group,and both healed with conservative therapy.We recorded one temporary and low-grade postoperative case of“de novo”FI.Manometry parameters reverted to the normal range earlier for group II patients.CONCLUSION The injection of botulinum toxin A in association with fissurectomy and anoplasty with a V-Y advancement flap improves the results of surgery alone in patients affected by CAF with IAS hypertonia.

Experience of the Department of Surgery “A” Point-G Hospital in the Management of Hemorrhoids (Mali)

Introduction: Hemorrhoidal disease is the most common condition in proctology: it is defined by signs or symptoms attributed to hemorrhoids. There is no parallel between the extent of hemorrhoidal anatomical disease and the symptoms described by patients. Our objective was to assess the incidence of hemorrhoidal disease, to diagnose it and to propose therapeutics. Patients and Method: This was a prospective and descriptive study based on a pre-established protocol that had taken place over a 12-month period. All patients (92 cases) underwent a general examination and a proctological examination. Anoscopy has often been associated with rectoscope with or without biopsy of the rectal mucosa. The inclusion criteria were the finding of hemorrhoidal disease, associated or not with other proctological diseases and the criteria for non-inclusion was any other anorectal pathology. Results: Among our patients there were 69 men or 75% of cases and 23 women or 25% of cases. The sex ratio was 3 in favor of men, the average age was 35.42. The duration of progression of the disease was between 0 - 2 years in 59.78%. Constipation (60 cases or 66.3%) and diarrhea (60 cases or 22.8%) were the factors that triggered the disease. Hemorrhoids with 3 packets were the most common (49 cases or 53.26%). 56 patients were treated medically and 36 patients were operated on. The surgical technique was simple hemorrhoidectomy according to MILLIGAN and MORGAN. It was associated with a fissurectomy in 8.33% of cases, a fistulectomy in 13.90% of cases or a thrombectomy in 33.33%. Early surgical sequels were dominated by pain in all patients, rectorragie, and urine retention. We did not deplore any deaths. Conclusion: Hemorrhoidal disease is an anatomoclinical entity that is still poorly elucidated and no direct link between the nature of the lesions and symptomatology can be established.

Rectal cancer and Fournier's gangrene- current knowledge and therapeutic options

Fournier's gangrene(FG) is a rapid progressive bacterial infection that involves the subcutaneous fascia and part of the deep fascia but spares the muscle in the scrotal,perianal and perineal region. The incidence has increased dramatically,while the reported incidence of rectal cancer-induced FG is unknown but is extremely low. Pathophysiology and clinical presentation of rectal cancer-induced FG per se does not differ from the other causes. Only rectal cancer-specific symptoms before presentation can lead to the diagnosis. The diagnosis of rectal cancer-induced FG should be excluded in every patient with blood on digital rectal examination,when urogenital and dermatological causes are excluded and when fever or sepsis of unknown origin is present with perianal symptomatology. Therapeutic options are more complex than for other forms of FG. First,the causative rectal tumor should be removed. The survival of patients with rectal cancer resection is reported as 100%,while with colostomy it is 80%. The preferred method of rectal resection has not been defined. Second,oncological treatment should be administered but the timing should be adjusted to the resolution of the FG and sometimes for the healing of plastic reconstructive procedures that are commonly needed for the reconstruction of large perineal,scrotal and lower abdominal wall defects.