OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the clinical therapeutic effect of electroacupuncture (EA) at METHODS: The data of 318 patients undergoing anal fistula surgery were analyzed retrospectively. In accordance with whether accepted the combined treatment with EA at bilateral RESULTS: For VAS score, there was an interaction between therapeutic method and treatment duration ( CONCLUSION Electroacupuncture at
Acupuncture Points ; Acupuncture, Ear ; Electroacupuncture ; Humans ; Rectal Fistula/therapy* ; Retrospective Studies

PURPOSE: Perianal adenocarcinoma arising from a chronic anorectal fistula is a rare condition for which the natural history and optimal management are not well established. For that reason, we conducted a retrospective analysis of 5 consecutive patients with a perianal adenocarcinoma arising from a chronic anorectal fistula managed at our institution from January 2014 to December 2015. METHODS: The patients were identified from a prospectively collected colorectal cancer database that included all patients managed for colorectal cancer at our institution. RESULTS: The median age at diagnosis was 64 years (range, 55–72 years). Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) was the initial investigation for all patients and showed a hyperintense T2-weighted image. One patient underwent an abdominoperineal resection following neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy and remained disease free during the 12-month follow-up. Three patients received neoadjuvant therapy with intent for surgery, but did not undergo surgery due to either worsening health or metastatic spread. One patient declined intervention. The median overall survival was 10.5 months (range, 2–19 months). CONCLUSION: A high index of suspicion is required to make a clinical diagnosis of an anal adenocarcinoma arising from a chronic fistula. Histologic diagnosis must be achieved to confirm the diagnosis. Multimodal therapy with neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy followed by abdominoperineal resection is the treatment of choice.
Adenocarcinoma ; Asian Continental Ancestry Group ; Chemoradiotherapy ; Colorectal Neoplasms ; Diagnosis ; Fistula ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Natural History ; Neoadjuvant Therapy ; Prospective Studies ; Rectal Fistula ; Retrospective Studies

Crohn disease (CD) is a chronic inflammatory disease involving the entire digestive tract and non-perianal fistula is the most serious surgical complication of CD. The goal of treatment is to cure intestinal fistula and intra-abdominal infection, restore the continuity of digestive tract, reduce postoperative recurrence, and improve the quality of life. Evaluation of nutritional status, especially during perioperative period, is important and nutrition support for malnutritional CD patients is necessary. Full assessment of non-perianal fistula and promotion of self-healing is the principal treatment, and surgical drainage combined with enteral nutrition may be a feasible treatment. Trocar puncture with sump drain is recommended to control intra-abdominal abscess. Surgical treatment of enterocutaneous fistula, enteroenteric fistula, enterovesical fistula or enterogynaecological fistula should be considered if medical treatment, nutrition support and surgical drainage fail. Laparoscopic surgery is recommended for patients with mild adhesion of non-perianal fistulating CD. Postoperative medical treatment and risk assessment should be carried out to reduce postoperative recurrence of CD and fistula.
Abdominal Abscess ; etiology ; therapy ; Consensus ; Crohn Disease ; complications ; diagnosis ; therapy ; Drainage ; Humans ; Quality of Life ; Rectal Fistula ; etiology ; therapy

OBJECTIVETo summarize the perioperative and postoperative complications follow laparoscopic intersphincteric resection (LapISR) in the treatment of low rectal cancer and their management.

METHODSAn observational study was conducted in 73 consecutive patients who underwent LapISR for low rectal cancer between June 2011 and February 2016 in our hospital. The clinicopathological parameters, perioperative and postoperative complications, and clinical outcomes were collected from a prospectively maintained database. Perioperative and postoperative complications were defined as any complication occurring within or more than 3 months after the primary operation, respectively.

RESULTSForty-nine(67.1%) cases were male and 24(32.9%) were female with a median age of 61(25 to 79) years. The median distance from distal tumor margin to anal verge was 4.0(1.0 to 5.5) cm. The median operative time was 195 (120 to 360) min, median intra operative blood loss was 100 (20 to 300) ml, median number of harvested lymph nodes was 14(3 to 31) per case. All the patients underwent preventive terminal ileum loop stoma. No conversion or hospital mortality was presented. The R0 resection rate was 98.6% with totally negative distal resection margin. A total of 34 complication episodes were recorded in 21(28.8%) patients during perioperative period, and among which 20.6%(7/34) was grade III(-IIII( according to Dindo system. Anastomosis-associated morbidity (16.4%,12/73) was the most common after LapISR, including mucosa ischemia in 9 cases(12.3%), stricture in 7 cases (9.6%, 4 cases secondary to mucosa necrosis receiving anal dilation), grade A fistula in 3 cases (4.1%) receiving conservative treatment and necrosis in 1 case (1.4%) receiving permanent stoma. After a median follow up of 21(3 to 60) months, postoperative complications were recorded in 12 patients (16.4%) with 16 episodes, including anastomotic stenosis (8.2%), rectum segmental stricture (5.5%), ileus (2.7%), partial anastomotic dehiscence (1.4%), anastomotic fistula (1.4%), rectovaginal fistula (1.4%) and mucosal prolapse (1.4%). These patients received corresponding treatments, such as endoscopic transanal resection, anal dilation, enema, purgative, permanent stoma, etc. according to the lesions. Six patients (8.2%) required re-operation intervention due to postoperative complications.

CONCLUSIONAnastomosis-associated morbidity is the most common after LapISR in the treatment of low rectal cancer in perioperative and postoperative periods, which must be strictly managed with suitable methods.

Adult ; Aged ; Anal Canal ; surgery ; Anastomosis, Surgical ; adverse effects ; Blood Loss, Surgical ; statistics & numerical data ; Colectomy ; adverse effects ; Constriction, Pathologic ; etiology ; therapy ; Digestive System Surgical Procedures ; adverse effects ; Female ; Humans ; Ileostomy ; adverse effects ; Intestinal Mucosa ; pathology ; Ischemia ; etiology ; Laparoscopy ; adverse effects ; Lymph Node Excision ; statistics & numerical data ; Male ; Margins of Excision ; Middle Aged ; Necrosis ; etiology ; Operative Time ; Postoperative Complications ; etiology ; therapy ; Rectal Neoplasms ; complications ; surgery ; Rectovaginal Fistula ; etiology ; therapy ; Surgical Stomas ; Treatment Outcome

PURPOSE: To investigate whether preoperative chemoradiotherapy (PCRT) followed by local excision (LE) is feasible approach in clinical T2N0 rectal cancer patients. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Patients who received PCRT and LE because of clinical T2 rectal cancer within 7 cm from anal verge between January 2006 and June 2014 were retrospectively analyzed. LE was performed in case of a good clinical response after PCRT. Patients’ characteristics, treatment record, tumor recurrence, and treatment-related complications were reviewed at a median follow-up of 49 months. RESULTS: All patients received transanal excision or transanal minimally invasive surgery. Of 34 patients, 19 patients (55.9%) presented pathologic complete response (pCR). The 3-year local recurrence-free survival and disease free-survival were 100.0% and 97.1%, respectively. There was no recurrence among the patients with pCR. Except for 1 case of grade 4 enterovesical fistula, all other late complications were mild and self-limiting. CONCLUSION: PCRT followed by an LE might be feasible as an alternative to total mesorectal excision in good responders with clinical T2N0 distal rectal cancer.
Chemoradiotherapy* ; Fistula ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Minimally Invasive Surgical Procedures ; Neoadjuvant Therapy ; Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Radiotherapy ; Rectal Neoplasms* ; Recurrence ; Retrospective Studies

OBJECTIVETo explore the risk factors and clinical features of delayed anastomotic fistula (DAF) following sphincter-preserving operation for rectal cancer.

METHODSClinical data of 1 594 patients with rectal cancer undergoing sphincter-preserving operation in our department from January 2008 to May 2015 based on the prospective database of Dpartment of Colorectal Surgery, Fujian Medical University Union Hospital were retrospectively analyzed. Sixty patients(3.8%) developed anastomotic fistula. Forty-one patients (2.6%) developed early anastomotic fistula (EAF) within 30 days after surgery while 19(1.2%) were DAF that occurred beyond 30 days. Univariate analyses were performed to compare the clinical features between EAF and DAF group.

RESULTSDAF was diagnosed at a median time of 194(30-327) days after anastomosis. As compared to EAF group, DAF group had lower tumor site [(6.1±2.3) cm vs. (7.8±2.8) cm, P=0.023], lower anastomosis site [(3.6±1.8) cm vs. (4.8±1.6) cm, P=0.008], higher ratio of patients receiving neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy (84.2% vs. 34.1%, P=0.000), and receiving preventive stoma (73.7% vs. 14.6%, P=0.000). According to ISREC grading system for anastomotic fistula, DAF patients were grade A and B, while EAF cases were grade B and C(P=0.000). During the first hospital stay for anastomosis, DAF group did not have abdominal pain, general malaise, drainage abnormalities, peritonitis but 8 cases(42.1%) had fever more than 38centi-degree. In EAF group, 29 patients(70.7%) had abdominal pain and general malaise, and 29(70.7%) had drainage abnormalities. General or circumscribed peritonitis were developed in 25(61.0%) EAF patients, and fever occurred in 39(95.1%) EAF cases. There were 13(68.4%) cases with sinus or fistula formation and 9(47.4%) with rectovaginal fistula in DAF group, in contrast to 5 (12.2%) and 5 (12.2%) in EAF group respectively. In DAF group, 5 (26.3%) patients received follow-up due to stoma (no closure), 5 (26.3%) received bedside surgical drainage, while 9(47.4%) patients underwent operation, including diverting stoma in 3 patients, Hartmann procedure in 1 case, intersphincteric resection, coloanal anastomosis plus ileostomy in 1case because of pelvic fibrosis and stenosis of neorectum after radiotherapy, mucosal advancement flap repair with a cellular matrix interposition in 3 rectovaginal fistula cases, incision of sinus via the anus in 1 case. During a median follow-up of 28 months, 14(73.7%) DAF patients were cured.

CONCLUSIONSIt is advisable to be cautious that patients with lower site of tumor and anastomosis, neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy and preventive stoma are at risk of DAF. DAF is clinically silent and most patients can be cured by effective surgical treatment.

Anal Canal ; Anastomosis, Surgical ; Anastomotic Leak ; diagnosis ; pathology ; Colostomy ; Digestive System Surgical Procedures ; adverse effects ; Female ; Humans ; Ileostomy ; Length of Stay ; Neoadjuvant Therapy ; Organ Sparing Treatments ; Postoperative Complications ; diagnosis ; Rectal Neoplasms ; surgery ; Rectovaginal Fistula ; Rectum ; surgery ; Retrospective Studies ; Risk Factors ; Surgical Flaps ; Surgical Stomas ; Treatment Outcome

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the efficacy of infliximab combined with surgery in the treatment of perianal fistulizing Crohn disease (CD).

METHODSClinical data of 15 patients with perianal fistulizing CD receiving infliximab combined with surgery in the Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine from March 2010 to June 2011 were analyzed retrospectively. One week after operation, all the patients received infliximab infusion thrice at weeks 0, 2, and 6. Crohn disease activity index (CDAI), perianal Crohn disease activity index (PDAI), body mass index (BMI), routine blood test and endoscopy were evaluated at week 0, 14. Adverse reactions and healing time were recorded.

RESULTSAt week 14, the response rate was 100% with 86.7% (13/15) complete responders. One patient had local improvement and one developed recurrent fistula. The mean healing time was 32.5 (20-45) d. Anorectal stenosis in 4 patients was significantly improved. At week 14, CDAI decreased to 114.0±90.3 from 230.5±97.5 after IFX treatment. PCDAI decreased to 2.8±3.2 from 9.9±3.4, and BMI increased to (21.5±3.0)kg/m(2) from (19.1±3.1)kg/m(2). C-reactive protein (CRP), erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), platelet and neutrophil were significantly decreased from baseline (all P<0.01). Intestinal mucosa healed completely in one patient. There were no serious adverse events except hypokalemia in one patient and severe infusion reaction in another.

CONCLUSIONInfliximab combined with surgery is effective and safe for perianal fistulizing CD.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Antibodies, Monoclonal ; therapeutic use ; Combined Modality Therapy ; Crohn Disease ; complications ; drug therapy ; surgery ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Infliximab ; Male ; Rectal Fistula ; drug therapy ; etiology ; surgery ; Retrospective Studies ; Treatment Outcome ; Young Adult

Mucinous adenocarcinoma arising from a chronic anorectal fistula is a rare condition. It is often confused with a hemorrhoid or perineal abscess, which consequently delays accurate diagnosis. Here, we report the case of a 58-year-old man with blood-tinged stool who reported a rectal mass, which was diagnosed as mucinous adenocarcinoma arising from an anal fistula. After initial computed tomography-guided needle aspiration biopsy had failed to provide an accurate diagnosis, transrectal punch biopsy was performed to obtained adequate tissue sample for confirmative histological diagnosis. The patient was successfully treated with neoadjuvant concurrent chemoradiotherapy followed by surgical intervention.
Abscess ; Adenocarcinoma, Mucinous* ; Biopsy* ; Biopsy, Needle ; Chemoradiotherapy* ; Fistula* ; Hemorrhoids ; Humans ; Middle Aged ; Mucins* ; Needles ; Neoadjuvant Therapy ; Rectal Fistula

BACKGROUNDThere is little information of non-perianal fistulating Crohn's disease in the consensus published by the European Crohn's and Colitis Organization in 2006 and 2010. This study was designed to demonstrate the clinical characteristics of non-perianal fistulating Crohn's disease among homogenous Chinese population.

METHODSOne-hundred-and-eighty-four patients were retrospectively collected. All of these patients were diagnosed of Crohn's disease between February 2001 and April 2011.

RESULTSThe male-to-female ratio was 2.7:1. The most common symptoms at onset were abdominal pain (88.0%), diarrhea (34.7%), and fever (28.3%). The most common disease location and behavior at diagnosis were small bowel (56.0%) and penetrating (51.6%). Among 324 non-perianal fistulae, the most common types were ileocolonic anastomotic (30.9%), terminal ileocutaneous (19.7%), and enteroenteric anastomotic (11.4%). One-hundred-and-thirty- eight (75.0%) patients received antibiotics, and β-lactam (85.5%) and metronidazole (67.4%) are most frequently used. One-hundred-and-seventy-eight (96.7%) patients suffered 514 surgical operations, and the cumulative surgical rates after 1, 3, and 5 years were 38.0%, 52.2%, and 58.7% respectively. Nine patients died during the follow-up period, and the cumulative survival rates after 1, 3, and 5 years were 97.8%, 96.7%, and 96.2% respectively.

CONCLUSIONSThis study displayed the clinical characteristics of non-perianal fistulating Crohn's disease in our center. Large population-based studies are required for further investigation in China.

Adolescent ; Adult ; China ; Crohn Disease ; drug therapy ; mortality ; pathology ; surgery ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; therapeutic use ; Female ; Glycosides ; therapeutic use ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Rectal Fistula ; drug therapy ; mortality ; pathology ; surgery ; Tripterygium ; chemistry ; Young Adult

Surgery for an anal fistula may result in recurrence or impairment of continence. The ideal treatment for an anal fistula should be associated with low recurrence rates, minimal incontinence and good quality of life. Because of the risk of a change in continence with conventional techniques, sphincter-preserving techniques for the management complex anal fistulae have been evaluated. First, the anal fistula plug is made of lyophilized porcine intestinal submucosa. The anal fistula plug is expected to provide a collagen scaffold to promote tissue in growth and fistula healing. Another addition to the sphincter-preserving options is the ligation of intersphincteric fistula tract procedure. This technique is based on the concept of secure closure of the internal opening and concomitant removal of infected cryptoglandular tissue in the intersphincteric plane. Recently, cell therapy for an anal fistula has been described. Adipose-derived stem cells have two biologic properties, namely, ability to suppress inflammation and differentiation potential. These properties are useful for the regeneration or the repair of damaged tissues. This article discusses the rationales for, the estimated efficacies of, and the limitations of new sphincter-preserving techniques for the treatment of anal fistulae.
Collagen ; Fecal Incontinence ; Fistula ; Inflammation ; Ligation ; Quality of Life ; Rectal Fistula ; Recurrence ; Regeneration ; Stem Cells ; Tissue Therapy