Impact of neoadjuvant therapy in downstaging of lower rectal adenocarcinoma and the role of pelvic magnetic resonance in staging.

Objective: to evaluate the effect of neoadjuvant therapy on the stage (TNM) of patients with rectal adenocarcinoma and validate the use of MRI as a method of determining locoregional stage.

Methods: we conducted a retrospective study of 157 patients with lower rectum adenocarcinoma, whom we divided into two groups: Group 1, 81 patients (52%) who had undergone surgical treatment initially, with the purpose to analyze the accuracy of locoregional staging by pelvic magnetic resonance imaging throug the comparison of radiological findings with pathological ones; Group 2, 76 patients (48%), who had been submitted to neoadjuvant therapy (chemotherapy and radiation) prior to definitive surgical treatment, so as to evaluate its effects on the stage by comparing clinical and radiological findings with pathology.

Results: In group 1, the accuracy of determining tumor depth (T) and lymph node involvement (N) was 91.

[Rectal and anal straining pressures in primigravidae].

Objective: This study intended to evaluate rectal and anal straining pressures in primigravidae, at simulated defecation.

Methods: The present study is based on 60 women from de Antenatal Care of Santa Casa de Misericórdia - São Paulo. Patients were divided into four groups of 15: a)

Control Group: nuligravidae; b) 1st trimester primigravidae; c) 2nd trimester primigravidae; d) 3rd trimester primigravidae.

[Surgical treatment of rectal prolapse by the Delorme technique and rectopexy].

Objective: Rectopexy is the most common technique used to correct rectal prolapse. Perineal procedures such as the Delorme technique and others are employed for older frail patients with significant comorbidity because of the higher recurrence rate. This study evaluated results of the Delorme technique and rectopexy.