Post-operative clinical, manometric, and defecographic findings in patients undergoing unsuccessful STARR operation for obstructed defecation.

Aim: To evaluate the reason for failure of STARR (stapled transanal rectal resection) operation for obstructed defecation.

Methods: A retrospective study (June 2012-December 2017) was performed using a prospectively maintained database of patients who underwent STARR operation for ODS (obstructed defecation syndrome), complaining of persisting or de novo occurrence of pelvic floor dysfunctions. Postoperative St Mark's and ODS scores were evaluated.

Pelvic floor function following ventral rectopexy versus STARR in the treatment of obstructed defecation.

Background: Obstructed defecation syndrome (ODS), most commonly found in females, can be treated by a transanal or abdominal approach with good success rate. Nevertheless, patients may experience de novo or persisting pelvic floor dysfunctions after surgery. The aim of this study was to compare the functional outcome of stapled transanal rectal resection (STARR) and ventral rectopexy (VRP) in a series of ODS patients.

Laparoscopic adjustable gastric banding migration: an early approach for a late complication.

Aim: Laparoscopic adjustable gastric banding (LAGB) migration is an uncommon late complication after bariatric surgery. It usually presents with an unexplained weight increase or without any symptom. Current guidelines do not establish the timing of a clear endoscopic follow-up to prevent and/or to treat this kind of complication.

Cyanoacrylate sealant compared to fibrin glue in staple line reinforcement during laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy. Pilot prospective observational study.

Laparoscopic Sleeve Gastrectomy (LSG) is associated with serious complications, such as staple line leaks and bleeding. This paper presents a novel approach aimed at the successful consolidation of the suture by the use of the cyanoacrylate, here compared to the use of fibrin glue. Fifty consecutive patients, recruited from October 2015 to March 2016, were submitted to laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy by standardized surgical technique.

Human microRNA expression in sporadic and FAP-associated desmoid tumors and correlation with beta-catenin mutations.

Desmoid tumors (DT) are rare, benign, fibroblastic neoplasm with challenging histological diagnosis. DTs can occur sporadically or associated with the familial adenomatous polyposis coli (FAP). Most sporadic DTs are associated with β-catenin gene (CTNNB1) mutations, while mutated APC gene causes FAP disease.

Short-term outcome of percutaneous tibial nerve stimulation for low anterior resection syndrome: results of a pilot study.

Aim: Percutaneous tibial nerve stimulation (PTNS) is a minimally invasive procedure which has been demonstrated to be effective in faecal/urinary incontinence but has never been tested in low anterior resection syndrome (LARS). The severity of LARS may be evaluated by the LARS score, but rectal cancer treatments may also affect urinary and sexual function, which are not explored by the LARS score. The Three Axial Perineal Evaluation (TAPE) score is a new validated index addressing the overall pelvic floor functions.

Double esophageal perforation by ingested foreign body: Endoscopic and surgical approach. A case report.

Introduction: Esophageal perforation in adults is most frequently caused by ingested foreign bodies. They can migrate through the esophageal wall, damaging the nearby organs such as the aorta or the trachea, with fatal outcome. After the diagnosis, the viable treatments for extracting the foreign body and repairing the perforation are several.

Prospective multicenter observational trial on the safety and efficacy of LEVORAG® Emulgel in the treatment of acute and chronic anal fissure.

Background: Anal fissure (AF) is a common cause of anal pain with a tendency not to heal spontaneously because of ischemia of the anoderm caused by sphincter spasm. Lateral internal sphincterotomy, while very effective, can cause fecal incontinence and chemical sphincterotomy by application of cream may have discouraging side effects and/or low efficacy. The aim of this prospective multicenter study was to evaluate the safety and effectiveness of a new medical treatment based on Emulgel cream, with emollient, soothing and protective agents, on AF healing.

Control of post-hemorrhoidectomy symptoms and wound healing by Triclosan: a randomized, double-blind, controlled trial.

Aim: Milligan-Morgan hemorrhoidectomy (MM) is still the most common treatment for grades III and IV hemorrhoids despite prolonged post-operative anal pain and wound healing. This multicenter, double blind, randomized, controlled trial was designed to assess the safety and the efficacy of anal wound cleansing with Triclosan (Proctocid®) in the control of symptoms and healing time after MM.

Methods: A total of 113 patients with grades III and IV hemorrhoids, undergoing open hemorroidectomy by diathermy or Ligasure vessel sealing device, were randomly assigned to Triclosan or sodium hypochlorite solution.

The effects of sacral nerve stimulation on continence are temporarily maintained after turning the stimulator off.

Aim: Sacral nerve stimulation is an effective treatment for urinary and faecal incontinence even though its mechanism of action is uncertain. Central nervous system involvement by 'setting-up' neurological mechanisms appointed to control pelvic function has been hypothesized. The study aimed to evaluate whether the effects of long-term sacral nerve stimulation are memorized and therefore maintained after switching off the stimulator.

Coloanal anastomosis or abdominoperineal resection for very low rectal cancer: what will benefit, the surgeon's pride or the patient's quality of life?

Purposes: Sphincter-saving operation with coloanal anastomosis (CAA) has become an established option for very low rectal cancer, but few studies have compared its functional results and quality of life (QoL) with abdominoperineal resection (APR) showing controversial results.

Patients And Methods: Patients treated for low rectal cancer with APR or CAA, disease-free after a median follow-up period of 26.5 (8-84) and 52.

Coherent Radiation for X-Ray Imaging-The Soft X-Ray Undulator and the X1A Beamline at the NSLS.

An undulator-based beamline was built and commissioned at the National Synchrotron Light Source to provide tunable coherent radiation in the 200-800 eV range. The low emittance of the storage ring means that the undulator source has high brightness so that a large flux of coherent x rays is delivered to experimental stations. The beamline uses a horizontally dispersing bichromator that allows two experiments to run simultaneously, making use of the first and second harmonics of the undulator output.