Protocol of the LATFIA trial (Laser Assisted Treatment of Fistula in Ano): a multicentre, prospective, randomized controlled trial comparing fistula-tract laser closure (FiLaC™) with rectal advancement flap for high trans-sphincteric fistulas.

Aim: Anal fistula is one of the most common anal diseases, affecting between 1 and 3 per 10 000 people per year. Symptoms have a potentially severe effect on a patient's quality of life. Surgery is the mainstay of treatment, aiming to cure the fistula and preserve anal sphincter function.

Ventral mesh rectopexy. Does a descending perineum impact functional results and quality of life?

Purpose: The impact of perineal descent (PD) on functional outcome and quality of life after ventral mesh rectopexy (VMR) is unknown. The purpose of this study was to analyze the effect of PD on the functional outcome and quality of life (QOL) after VMR.

Methods: A retrospective analysis was performed on fifty-five patients who underwent robotic VMR between 2018 and 2021.

Low anterior resection syndrome (LARS) and quality of life after colectomy.

Purpose: Clinical experience shows complaints similar to LARS not only after rectal surgery, but even after other types of colorectal surgery. Our aim was to investigate the occurrence of LARS after several types of colorectal surgery and its impact on quality of life.

Methods: We included adult patients who underwent colorectal surgery at our centre from January 2016 until March 2019, regardless of indication.

Beach litter sources around Nuuk, Greenland: An analysis by UArctic summer school graduate course students.

Modeling studies illustrate the potential for long-range transport of plastics into the Arctic, although the degree to which this occurs remains relatively undocumented. We utilised a teaching exercise at a UArctic summer school graduate course in Nuuk, Greenland to conduct a preliminary in-depth analysis of beach litter sources in the Nuup Kangerlua fjord. Students and instructors collected and analysed 1800 litter items weighing 200 kg from one location in the fjord and another at its mouth.

Posterior compartment prolapse and perineal descent: systematic review of available support devices.

Objective: The aim of our study is to systematically review the literature about available devices facilitating perineal support during defecation in patients with obstructive defecation syndrome (ODS) and posterior pelvic organ prolapse (POP).

Methods: We searched for the terms "defecat/ion or ODS" and" pessar/ies or device/aid/tool/perineal/perianal/prolapse and support" in MEDLINE, PubMed and Web of Science. Data abstraction was performed according to PRISMA (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic reviews and Meta-analysis) guidelines.

Evaluation of the AIX1000 Automated Rapid Plasma Reagin Assay in a High-Prevalence Setting.

Background: Manually performed nontreponemal assays, such as rapid plasma reagin (RPR), are labor intensive and time consuming. Recently, commercial automated RPR assays gained attention. The aim of this study was to compare the qualitative and quantitative performance of the AIX1000 (RPR-A; Gold Standard Diagnostics) to a manual RPR test (RPR-M; Becton Dickinson Macrovue) within a high-prevalence setting.

Exceptional Extension of Benign Angiomyolipoma in the Renal Vein.

When a renal angiomyolipoma (AML) is incidentally detected on imaging, the venous system should be assessed for intravascular fat component.

Functional outcome after Hartmann's reversal surgery using LARS, COREFO & QoL scores.

Background: Functional complaints after colorectal surgery have a profound effect on quality of life (QoL). Our goal was to investigate the prevalence of functional complaints and quality of life after Hartmann's reversal surgery.

Method: A cross-sectional study was performed where one hundred nineteen patients were included.

Rectocele: victim of availability bias? Results of a Belgian survey of colorectal and gynecological surgeons.

Introduction And Hypothesis: Women with a symptomatic rectocele may undergo different trajectories depending on the specialty consulted. This survey aims to evaluate potential differences between colorectal surgeons and gynecologists concerning the management of a rectocele.

Methods: A web-based survey was sent to abdominal surgeons (CS group) and gynecologists (G group) asking about their perceived definition, diagnostic workup, multidisciplinary discussion (MDT) and surgical treatment of rectoceles.

Is length of the rectal stump predictive for postoperative outcome in Hartmann's reversal surgery? A multicenter experience of 105 consecutive cases.

Purpose: Although Hartmann's procedure is commonly performed, subsequent reversal is less frequent. The most common reasons for reversal surgery are advanced age, comorbidities, and perceived surgical difficulties. The main objective of this study was to investigate if the length of the rectal stump influences the outcome of Hartmann's reversal surgery.

The role of neuromodulation in chronic functional constipation: a systematic review.

Background: Chronic functional constipation is a highly prevalent disorder in which, when conservative measures fail to relieve symptoms, surgical interventions are sometimes indicated. In recent years, neuromodulation for the treatment of functional constipation has gained interest but its role and effectiveness are still unclear. The purpose of this review is to provide a systematic overview on the current literature on the different modalities of neurostimulation and their effect on chronic functional constipation in adults as reported in the literature.

Belgian consensus guideline on the management of hemorrhoidal disease.

Introduction: Hemorrhoidal disease is a common problem that arises when hemorrhoidal structures become engorged and/or prolapse through the anal canal. Both conservative and invasive treatment options are diverse and guidance to their implementation is lacking.

Methods: A Delphi consensus process was used to review current literature and draft relevant statements.

Treatment of Fecal Incontinence With a Rechargeable Sacral Neuromodulation System: Efficacy, Clinical Outcome, and Ease of Use-Six-Month Follow-Up.

Objective: Sacral neuromodulation is an effective treatment for fecal incontinence (FI) after conservative treatments have failed. A new rechargeable sacral neuromodulation system (r-SNM) includes a rechargeable implantable neurostimulator (INS). No data is available of the use of this technology in patients with fecal incontinence.

Intraluminal bypass devices as an alternative to protective ostomy for prevention of colorectal anastomotic leakage: a systematic review of the literature.

Aim: Anastomotic leakage (AL) is the most important complication of colorectal surgery, leading to high morbidity and mortality. Protective ostomy, the current standard of care for protecting a colorectal anastomosis, has important drawbacks that require the creation of an alternative strategy. Over the past 30 years, several intraluminal bypass devices, designed to shield the anastomosis from the faecal stream, have been developed.

The Typical "Cracked Dry Mud" Ultrasound Pattern of Proliferative Myositis.

The typical "cracked dry mud" pattern on ultrasound may help avoiding biopsy for proliferative myositis which is a self-resolving benign process.

Perineal hernia mesh repair: a fixation with glue, sutures and tacks. How to do it.

Many different approaches for the repair of a perineal hernia (PH) after abdomino-perineal rectum amputation (APR) have been described throughout the years. Literature shows us that the use of a mesh had the best results with relatively low rates of recurrence compared to primary suture. Yet there is still no consensus on the best technique for fixation of the mesh in the perineal cavity.

Rectal cancer surgery : what's in a name?

The field of rectal cancer treatment is a dynamic and changing field, due to better understanding of the pathology and new medical treatment options, but perhaps mostly due to innovations in the surgical approach. Surgery is the cornerstone for rectal cancer treatment. Currently, Total Mesorectal Excision is the gold standard.

EBV-associated hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis complicated by severe coagulation disorders and opportunistic infections: case report of a survivor.

The possibility of hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis should always be kept in mind when examining/treating a patient with fever of unknown origin and sepsis-like symptoms. Early diagnosis leading to prompt initiation of immunosuppressive therapy as well as aggressive supportive care, including correction of coagulation abnormalities and treatment of opportunistic infections, can decrease mortality.

Simultaneous laparoscopic proctocolectomy (TaTME) and robot-assisted radical prostatectomy for synchronous rectal and prostate cancer.

Objective: We would like to present a patient with a history of ulcerative colitis suffering from a synchronous rectal and prostate cancer treated with a laparoscopic total proctocolectomy (with TaTME) and Retzius sparing RARP simultaneously.

Methods: Retzius sparing RARP with bilateral lymph node harvesting was performed first. Afterwards, TaTME was commenced with the placement of a Lonestar retractor and GelPort.

Intussusception in pregnancy after gastric bypass: a case report.

Laparoscopic Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB) remains the gold standard procedure in obesity surgery and is mostly performed in young women of reproductive age. Since the worldwide prevalence of obesity is increasing and fertility improves after surgery, more complications in the pregnant population will emerge. The differential diagnosis of acute abdominal pain in patients with a history of gastric bypass is rather broad and includes mainly anastomotic ulcers, leaks, and small bowel obstructions.