The ligation of the intersphincteric fistula tract procedure for anal fistula: a mixed bag of results.

Background: The ligation of the intersphincteric fistula tract procedure, a sphincter-preserving technique, aims to obtain complete, durable healing, while preserving fecal continence in the treatment of transsphincteric anal fistulas.

Objective: This was a systematic review to evaluate the outcomes of the originally described (classic) ligation of the intersphincteric fistula tract procedure and the identified technical variations of the procedure.

Data Sources: PubMed, Web of Science, and the archive of Diseases of the Colon & Rectum were searched with the terms "ligation of intersphincteric fistula" and "ligation of intersphincteric fistula tract.

Endorectal ultrasound-directed biopsy: a useful technique to detect local recurrence of rectal cancer.

Aims: This study assesses the value of endorectal ultrasound (ERUS)-directed biopsy in detecting local recurrence of rectal cancer.

Methods: We reviewed the records of patients undergoing ERUS by a single surgeon for surveillance after treatment of rectal adenocarcinoma. Lesions suggestive of local recurrence underwent ERUS-assisted core-needle biopsy (EAB) via a proctoscope after precise ERUS localization or direct ERUS-guided biopsy (EGB) via a B&K Medical probe.

Epinephrine as a mediator of pulmonary neutrophil sequestration.

Neutrophil-mediated lung injury is a potential complication of trauma and sepsis. Concomitant with trauma and sepsis, there is an immediate and sustained systemic elevation of catecholamines including epinephrine. In the absence of trauma or sepsis, we examined whether epinephrine contributes to the accumulation of neutrophils in the lung.