Sacral nerve stimulation versus the magnetic sphincter augmentation device for adult faecal incontinence: the SaFaRI RCT.

Background: Preliminary studies using the FENIX™ (Torax Medical, Minneapolis, MN, USA) magnetic sphincter augmentation device suggest that it is safe to use for the treatment of adult faecal incontinence, but efficacy data are limited.

Objective: To compare FENIX with sacral nerve stimulation for the treatment of adult faecal incontinence in terms of safety, efficacy, quality of life and cost-effectiveness.

Design, Setting And Participants: Multicentre, parallel-group, unblinded, randomised trial comparing FENIX with sacral nerve stimulation in participants suffering moderate to severe faecal incontinence.

Quality assurance in flexible sigmoidoscopy: medical and nonmedical endoscopists.

Purpose: The clinical assessment of position in colon and hence completion during flexible sigmoidoscopy (FS) is believed to be inaccurate. The technique of applying endomucosal clips with follow-up X-ray has previously been used for establishing completion in colonoscopy. Furthermore, we have now trained non-healthcare professionals (non-medical endoscopists, NME) to perform FS, but there is no data on assessment of their performance of FS.

Anterior anal sphincter repair for fecal incontinence: Good longterm results are possible.

Background: Anterior anal sphincter repair (ASR) is standard treatment for fecal incontinence resulting from an obstetrically damaged anal sphincter. Longterm results of repair have generally been shown to be poor. This review of single-unit series aimed to determine longterm outcomes of primary ASR for patients with fecal incontinence from obstetrically damaged anal sphincter.

Mesorectal grades predict recurrences after curative resection for rectal cancer.

Purpose: Local recurrence after curative excision for rectal cancer is frequently regarded as a failure of surgery. The macroscopic quality of the excised mesorectum after total mesorectal excision has been proposed as a means of assessment of the adequacy of surgery. This study was designed to determine the utility of mesorectal grading in prediction of local and overall recurrence after curative surgery.

Transanal endoscopic microsurgery: where are we now?

Aims: This review of literature aimed to assess the role and establish the current status of transanal endoscopic microsurgery (TEM) in the management of benign and malignant rectal lesions.

Methods: A review of the literature was undertaken through the Medline database and by cross-referencing previous publications, thus identifying 54 relevant publications on TEM in the management of rectal lesions. Aggregated results of various parameters were calculated but statistical comparisons deemed unsuitable due to heterogeneity of data.