Comparison between perineal and abdominal approaches for the surgical treatment of recurrent external rectal prolapse: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Purpose: Although surgery is the most effective treatment for rectal prolapse, a risk of recurrence reported in literature is 6-27%. The aim of this meta-analysis is to compare the abdominal and perineal approach for surgical treatment of recurrent external rectal prolapse.

Methods: A systematic search of PubMed and Embase was performed following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-analysis (PRISMA) guidelines.

Tailoring surgery for obstructed defecation syndrome to the 'iceberg diagram': Long-term results.

Background: Patients with obstructed defecation syndrome may present with a wide spectrum of disorders. The iceberg diagram, which focuses on the underlying occult diseases, has been proposed for an accurate diagnosis. The iceberg diagram deals with lesions, which, if neglected, may worsen the prognosis.

Treatment strategies and long-term outcomes in patients with congenital microphthalmia-anophthalmia with cyst.

Background/aims: Microphthalmia and anophthalmia are rare conditions, which represent ocular maldevelopment; both may be associated with orbital cysts. Current literature recommends retention to stimulate orbital growth during socket rehabilitation but does not illustrate their potential to deform the periocular tissues. This study aims to illustrate the long-term outcomes when other elements, such as forniceal and lid development, are also considered when formulating bespoke treatment plans for patients.

Semi-closed bilateral partial miotomy of the puborectalis for anismus: a pilot study: Partial miotomy of the puborectalis for anismus.

Background: Anismus or non relaxing puborectalis muscle (PRM) may cause obstructed defecation (OD). Reported surgical treatment is partial miotomy, followed by sepsis, bleeding, and incontinence. The aim of the present study was to investigate on the feasibility and outcome of a modified mini-invasive operation.

Psychological stress in patients with anal fistula.

Aim: Psychological stress is known to affect the immunologic system and the inflammatory response. The aim of this study was to assess the presence of psychological stress, anxiety, and depression in patients with anal fistula.

Methods: Consecutive patients with anal fistula, hemorrhoids, and normal volunteers were studied prospectively.

The PNEI holistic approach in coloproctology.

The psycho-neuroendocrine-immune approach relies on the concept of considering diseases from a holistic point of view: the various components (psyche, nervous system, endocrine system, and immune system) control the diseased organ/apparatus and in turn are influenced by a feedback mechanism. In this article, we will consider the psycho-neuroendocrine-immune approach to coloproctological disorders, by providing clinical cases and discussing them in light of this approach.

Management of obstructed defecation.

The management of obstructed defecation syndrome (ODS) is mainly conservative and mainly consists of fiber diet, bulking laxatives, rectal irrigation or hydrocolontherapy, biofeedback, transanal electrostimulation, yoga and psychotherapy. According to our experience, nearly 20% of the patients need surgical treatment. If we consider ODS an "iceberg syndrome", with "emerging rocks", rectocele and rectal internal mucosal prolapse, that may benefit from surgery, at least two out of ten patients also has "underwater rocks" or occult disorders, such as anismus, rectal hyposensation and anxiety/depression, which mostly require conservative treatment.

Psycho-echo-biofeedback: a novel treatment for anismus--results of a prospective controlled study.

Background: Anismus or non-relaxing puborectalis muscle (PRM), detectable with anal/vaginal ultrasound (US), is a cause of obstructed defecation (OD) and may be treated with biofeedback (BFB). Many patients with anismus are anxious and/or depressed. The aim of this prospective study was to evaluate the outcome of the novel procedure psycho-echo-BFB in patients with anismus and psychological disorders.

Partial prolapsectomy and fixation proctomucopexy: a novel minimally invasive procedure.

A novel minimally invasive procedure for the management of anterior external and posterior internal mucosal prolapse is described. The operation, carried out via a transanal route, consists of a partial prolapsectomy and a mucosal proctopexy. Out of six patients, one had severe postoperative bleeding and one had a recurrence of internal prolapse and obstructed defecation.

Sphincteroplasty for anal incontinence.

Sphincteroplasty (SP) is the operation most frequently performed in patients suffering from moderate-to-severe anal incontinence (AI) who do not respond to conservative treatment. Other costly surgeries, such as artificial bowel sphincter (ABS) and electro-stimulated graciloplasty, have been more or less abandoned due to their high morbidity rate. Minimally invasive procedures are widely used, such as sacral neuromodulation and injection of bulking agents, but both are costly and the latter may cure only mild incontinence.