We describe two patients who underwent repeat off-pump coronary revascularization by axillocoronary artery bypass grafting. A 63-year-old man (case 1), who had undergone coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) 13 years previously, was admitted to our hospital with exertional angina. The saphenous vein grafts (SVG) to the left anterior descending artery (LAD), circumflex artery (Cx), and right coronary artery (RCA) all were occluded. The left internal thoracic artery (LITA) also was occluded because it had been injured. Because the patient declined to undergo a redo CABG, percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty (PTCA) to the LAD was attempted. However, coronary dissection occurred, and an emergency operation was performed. A 66-year-old man (case 2), who had undergone CABG 12 years previously, was admitted with unstable angina. The LITA to the LAD and the SVG to the RCA were occluded. The SVG to the Cx had 99% stenosis in its mid-portion and was the cause of the angina. PTCA and stenting of this SVG were performed. Two weeks later, an operation was done. In both patients, the left axillary artery was selected as the site of the proximal anastomosis. Both patients underwent off-pump bypass grafting to the LAD from the left axillary artery using a SVG. Both grafts were patent postoperatively. This approach resulted in early symptomatic improvement.

Six (1.2%) of 501 patients sustained phrenic nerve injury during operation for congenital heart disease at our institutions between 1992 and 1998. The diagnosis was confirmed by percutaneous stimulation of the phrenic nerve. All but 1 patient were less than 9 months old, and the average weight was 3.6kg. All 6 patients underwent diaphragmatic plication and were extubated by 7 days after operation. Percutaneous stimulation of the phrenic nerve allowed direct assessment of phrenic nerve function which was difficult to detect by clinical and radiological evidence. This method can be non-invasively used at the bedside to facilitate early and accurate diagnosis of phrenic nerve palsy.

Purpose: Perineal procedures are an important surgical option for frail and high-risk patients with rectal prolapse. This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of combined therapy using injection sclerotherapy, with aluminum potassium sulfate and tannic acid (ALTA), and the Thiersch procedure, using the Leeds-Keio ligament (ALTA-Thiersch). Methods: This study included 106 consecutive patients (mean age, 81.2 years) who underwent ALTA-Thiersch for rectal prolapse. The procedure was performed under caudal epidural anesthesia. ALTA was injected into the submucosa from the tip of the prolapsed rectum down to the dentate line, circumferentially, at 20 to 40 locations. The ligament tape was placed outside the external sphincter muscle and at an approximate depth of 2 cm into the middle anal canal. Results: Of 106 patients, rectal prolapse was cured shortly after surgery in 105 patients. An additional tape was inserted in 1 patient who had persistent prolapse. Postoperative complications were observed in 27 patients (25.5%). Fecal impaction occurred in 12 patients; however, since it was temporary, no tape removal was required. Of the 12 cases in which the tape was infected or exposed, 11 required tape removal. There were 18 cases of recurrence at a mean follow-up of 22.1 months. Cumulative recurrence rates at 3 and 5 years were 21.3% and 38.6%, respectively. Conclusion ALTA-Thiersch is a simple and safe procedure for rectal prolapse, having reasonable outcomes. The use of the Leeds-Keio ligament for anal encircling can help compensate for the disadvantages of the Thiersch operation.

Purpose: Perianal injection of bulking agents is an attractive treatment option for patients with mild to moderate fecal incontinence (FI). Various bulking agents have been used for injection therapy, but the optimal injection materials and methods are yet to be standardized. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of injection therapy using aluminum potassium sulfate and tannic acid (ALTA) in the management of FI. Methods: This study included consecutive patients who underwent ALTA injection therapy for FI at our institution. The procedure was performed with the patient in the jackknife position, under caudal epidural anesthesia. The procedure consisted of a 4-step injection to the 3 main cushions and a multipoint injection to the remaining submucosa of the anal canal. Results: Seventy-seven patients (mean age, 76 years) were enrolled in the study. The mean Cleveland Clinic incontinence score of 11.9 ± 4.1 at baseline significantly improved to 7.3 ± 5.2 at 3 months following treatment. The mean maximal resting pressure also increased significantly 3 months after the intervention. Postoperative complications were observed in 3 patients (3.9%), and all events were mild. The mean duration of postoperative follow-up was 17.5 months. The cumulative recurrence-free rate at 3 years was 72.4%. Conclusion ALTA injection for FI is safe, easy to perform, and provides reasonable mid-term outcomes. Moreover, concomitant anorectal diseases that may be contraindicated by other injectable bulking agents could be treated simultaneously. Therefore, ALTA injection is a promising alternative in the absence of other injectable agents.

Background/Aims: Defecation disorders (DD) are part of the spectrum of chronic constipation with outlet obstruction. Although anorectal physiologic tests are required for the diagnosis of DD, these tests are not available in many institutions. This study aims to investigate the predictivity of DD using rectosigmoid localization of radiopaque markers in a colonic transit study. Methods: A total of 169 patients with refractory constipation with a mean age of 67 years were studied. All patients underwent anorectal manometry, a balloon expulsion test, and a colonic transit study. Barium defecography was performed if needed. The relationship between DD diagnosed by these anorectal tests and the rectosigmoid accumulation of markers was examined. Results: Seventy-nine (46.7%) patients were identified to have DD based on anorectal test combinations. Rectosigmoid accumulation of markers was observed in 39 (23.1%) patients. The sensitivity and positive predictive value of rectosigmoid accumulation for identifying DD were 31.6% and 64.1%, respectively. Rectosigmoid accumulation provided poor discrimination of DD from normal transit constipation, at a specificity of 82.1% but with a sensitivity of only 10.6%. In discriminating DD from slow transit constipation, rectosigmoid accumulation was found to be useful with a positive likelihood ratio of 5.3. Conclusions Rectosigmoid accumulation of markers can differentiate DD from slow transit constipation. However, non-rectosigmoid accumulation does not exclude the presence of DD.

Background/Aims: Defecation disorders (DD) are part of the spectrum of chronic constipation with outlet obstruction. Although anorectal physiologic tests are required for the diagnosis of DD, these tests are not available in many institutions. This study aims to investigate the predictivity of DD using rectosigmoid localization of radiopaque markers in a colonic transit study. Methods: A total of 169 patients with refractory constipation with a mean age of 67 years were studied. All patients underwent anorectal manometry, a balloon expulsion test, and a colonic transit study. Barium defecography was performed if needed. The relationship between DD diagnosed by these anorectal tests and the rectosigmoid accumulation of markers was examined. Results: Seventy-nine (46.7%) patients were identified to have DD based on anorectal test combinations. Rectosigmoid accumulation of markers was observed in 39 (23.1%) patients. The sensitivity and positive predictive value of rectosigmoid accumulation for identifying DD were 31.6% and 64.1%, respectively. Rectosigmoid accumulation provided poor discrimination of DD from normal transit constipation, at a specificity of 82.1% but with a sensitivity of only 10.6%. In discriminating DD from slow transit constipation, rectosigmoid accumulation was found to be useful with a positive likelihood ratio of 5.3. Conclusions Rectosigmoid accumulation of markers can differentiate DD from slow transit constipation. However, non-rectosigmoid accumulation does not exclude the presence of DD.