Chronic severe constipation: current pathophysiological aspects, new diagnostic approaches, and therapeutic options.

Chronic constipation is a considerable problem because it significantly affects the quality of a patient's life. Constipation can be diagnosed at every age and is more frequent in women and among the elderly. In epidemiological studies, its incidence is estimated at 2-27% in the general population.

Anorectal incontinence: a challenge in diagnostic and therapeutic approach.

Anorectal incontinence is a symptom of a complex multifactorial disorder involving the pelvic floor and anorectum, which is a severe disability and a major social problem. Various causes may affect the anatomical and functional integrity of the pelvic floor and anorectum, leading to the anorectal continence disorder and incontinence. The most common cause of anorectal incontinence is injury of the sphincter muscles following delivery or anorectal surgeries.

Chronic perineal pain: current pathophysiological aspects, diagnostic approaches and treatment.

Chronic perineal pain is the anorectal and perineal pain without underlying organic disease, anorectal or endopelvic, which has been excluded by careful physical examination, radiological and endoscopic investigations. A variety of neuromuscular disorders of the pelvic floor lead to the different pathological conditions such as anorectal incontinence, urinary incontinence and constipation of obstructed defecation, sexual dysfunction and pain syndromes. The most common functional disorders of the pelvic floor muscles, accompanied by perineal pain are levator ani syndrome, proctalgia fugax, myofascial syndrome and coccygodynia.

How necessary is vagotomy after pancreaticoduodenectomy and total pancreatectomy.

Background/aims: Gastrectomy with gastrojejunostomy is a fundamental step used for the restoration of the alimentary tract after pancreaticoduodenectomy or total pancreatectomy. Anastomotic ulcers occurring after pancreaticoduodenectomy, is a well known problem. The aim of our study is to investigate the incidence of anastomotic ulcer after pancreaticoduodenectomy or total pancreatectomy and to elucidate whether vagotomy is necessary.