Standardized Method of the Thiersch Operation for the Treatment of Fecal Incontinence.

Background: Conventionally, the Thiersch operation has typically involved blind positioning of the sling, and sling tension is subjectively based on a rule-of-thumb estimate. The aim of this study was to describe standardized methods for performing the Thiersch operation.

Methods: Seventeen patients with fecal incontinence underwent the calibrated method of the Thiersch procedure.

High ligation of the anal fistula tract by lateral approach: A prospective cohort study on a modification of the ligation of the intersphincteric fistula tract (LIFT) technique.

Background: Ligation of the intersphincteric fistula tract (LIFT) is a sphincter-preserving operation for anal fistulas. Although it has advantages in preserving continence after surgery, it is difficult to perform owing to the narrow field of view. We performed a modified surgical procedure based on the LIFT to overcome these drawbacks.

A comparative study of protein expression in primary colorectal cancer and synchronous hepatic metastases: the significance of matrix metalloproteinase-1 expression as a predictor of liver metastasis.

Objective: This study was undertaken to determine the ability of protein expression in primary colorectal cancer and metastatic liver tumour tissues to predict hepatic metastasis and intrahepatic recurrence.

Material And Methods: Sixty patients with colorectal cancer were enrolled in this study. The expression of the following five proteins was assessed by immunohistochemical (IHC) staining: carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA); vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF); matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-1; MMP-7; and tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinases (TIMP)-1.

Clinicopathological features of signet-ring cell carcinoma of the colon and rectum: a case-matched study.

Background/aims: Primary colorectal signet-ring cell carcinoma (SRC) is a rare type of mucin-containing adenocarcinoma and little information exists about its clinicopathological features.

Methods: The clinicopathological features of 27 patients with primary colorectal SRC were compared with non-signet-ring cell mucinous carcinoma (MC) and non-mucinous adenocarcinoma (NMC). To analyze survival and recurrence, we used matched control groups.

Obstructive colitis proximal to obstructive colorectal carcinoma.

The term "obstructive colitis" refers to ulceroinflammatory lesions occurring in the colon proximal to a completely or partially obstructing lesion. It has been referred to by various terms in the literature. This entity differs from the carcinoma of the colon that complicates true ulcerative colitis where there is involvement distal to the neoplasm as well as proximal to it.

Comparative study of resection and radiofrequency ablation in the treatment of solitary colorectal liver metastases.

Background: We compared outcomes in patients with solitary colorectal liver metastases treated by either hepatic resection (HR) or radiofrequency ablation (RFA).

Methods: A retrospective analysis from a prospective database was performed on 67 consecutive patients with solitary colorectal liver metastases treated by either HR or RFA.

Results: Forty-two patients underwent HR and 25 patients underwent RFA.

Long-term oncologic results of patients with distal rectal cancer treated by local excision with or without adjuvant treatment.

Aim: The aim of this study is to review long-term oncologic results of local excision (LE) and to investigate the validity and feasibility of LE as a treatment option for distal rectal cancer.

Materials And Methods: Seventy-six patients who underwent LE for distal rectal adenocarcinoma with curative intent from 1991 to 2000 at Severance Hospital Yonsei University Medical Center, Seoul, Korea were enrolled in this study.

Results: Preoperative transrectal ultrasonography revealed 3 cases of uT0, 55 cases of uT1 and 18 cases of uT2.