Experience, complications and prognostic factors of the ileoanal pouch in ulcerative colitis: An observational study.

Introduction: Ileoanal pouch following restorative proctocolectomy is the treatment for ulcerative colitis after failed medical treatment. Our main aim was to evaluate early and late morbidity associated with restorative proctocolectomy. The secondary aim was to assess risk factors for pouch failure.

The use of a simple anal sling in the management of anal incontinence.

BACKGROUND. Many patients presenting with anal incontinence (AI) are frail, with attendant comorbidities precluding the use of complicated, expensive reconstructive techniques. In these cases, revisiting a simple approach-designed to provide some sort of effective barrier to stool-is worthwhile where the options include a customized peri-anal sling or the use of an anal plug.

Prognostic value of stem cell quantification in stage II colon cancer.

Background: Cancer stem cells (CSCs) are a subset of tumor cells with capacity to self-renew and generate the diverse cells that make up the tumor. The aim of this study is to evaluate the prognostic value of CSCs in a highly homogeneous population of stage II colon cancer.

Methods: One hundred stage II colon cancer patients treated by the same surgical team between 1977 and 2005 were retrospectively analyzed.

Prognostic factors in Fournier gangrene.

Background: Fournier gangrene is a necrotizing fasciitis, arising in the genital and perineal area. This entity is still associated with a high mortality rate despite improvements in antibiotic and surgical treatment.

Methods: This is a retrospective study of all the patients diagnosed and surgically treated for Fournier gangrene at General University Hospital Ramon y Cajal between 1988 and 2008.

Ultrashort bowel syndrome: surgical management and long-term results of an exceptional case.

Management of the short bowel syndrome is a multidisciplinary and very complex problem. The authors report the successful long-term results of an original combination of autologous gastrointestinal reconstruction in a boy who at the age of 16 years lost all but 5 cm of the small bowel. This case demonstrates that lengthening and antipropulsive interposition of a long segment of the colon can be another alternative to early transplantation in exceptional cases.

Artificial anal sphincter: complications and functional results of a large personal series.

Purpose: This study was undertaken to evaluate the technique of artificial sphincter for fecal incontinence, with its complications and risk factors, the functional results, and which variables derived from demographic data, preoperative studies, device characteristics, technical details, perioperative findings, and complications could influence the outcome.

Methods: The Acticon Neosphincter was implanted in 53 patients (35 females), median age 46 years, with total anal incontinence not amenable to sphincter repair or after failed sphincteroplasty. In females with associated rectocele, this was synchronously corrected.

The safety and efficacy of the artificial bowel sphincter for fecal incontinence: results from a multicenter cohort study.

Purpose: The aim of this trial was to evaluate the safety, efficacy, and impact on quality of life of the Acticon trade mark artificial bowel sphincter for fecal incontinence.

Methods: A multicenter, prospective, nonrandomized clinical trial was conducted under a common protocol. Patients were evaluated with anal physiology, endoanal ultrasonography, a fecal incontinence scoring system, fecal incontinence quality of life assessment, and overall health evaluation.