Diseases of the colon and rectum
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Comparative Study
Complications and survival after surgery for rectal cancer in patients younger than and aged 75 years or older.
An increasing number of rectal cancer patients are elderly and have comorbid medical diseases. This study was designed to compare perioperative morbidity, mortality, and survival after surgery for rectal cancer in patients younger than and aged 75 years or older. ⋯ Major, curative, rectal cancer surgery in selected elderly patients can be performed with similar indications, perioperative morbidity, and mortality, as well as five-year, cancer-specific and disease-free survival as in younger patients.
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The deleted in colorectal cancer (DCC) gene predicts a poor outcome for patients with colorectal carcinoma. This study was designed to investigate whether the expression of the DCC protein also can predict response to adjuvant chemotherapy. ⋯ DCC is a prognostic factor for colorectal cancer. Positive expression of DCC identifies a subgroup of patients who respond favorably to adjuvant chemotherapy, which resulted in our cases, in 100 percent survival and disease-free survival rates. Without treatment, the survival rate of DCC+ patients dropped significantly. We suggest that DCC immunostaining should be performed routinely. All DCC+ patients should receive adjuvant chemotherapy. For DCC- tumors, a larger cohort of patients should be studied before definitive conclusions can be drawn; however, clinical trials of new drug combinations should focus on DCC- patients.
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Randomized Controlled Trial Clinical Trial
Topical metronidazole (10 percent) decreases posthemorrhoidectomy pain and improves healing.
Oral metronidazole has been previously demonstrated to decrease postoperative pain after open diathermy hemorrhoidectomy. The current study investigates the efficacy of topical metronidazole (10 percent) in reducing postoperative pain and promoting wound healing after Harmonic Scalpel hemorrhoidectomy. ⋯ Topical 10 percent metronidazole significantly reduces posthemorrhoidectomy discomfort at days 7 and 14 postoperatively. Postoperative edema is reduced and overall healing is improved, compared with that of carrier controls.
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Constipation is a commonly reported symptom, and pelvic floor dyssynergia is frequently documented in constipated patients. The standard therapeutic approach for pelvic floor dyssynergia is biofeedback training, but long-term studies show that a significant percentage of patients remain symptomatic. Alternative or adjunctive therapeutic options are needed. ⋯ Because of the relatively simple, painless and effective nature of electrogalvanic stimulation, we concluded that it may represent a useful adjunct to the therapeutic armamentarium for pelvic floor dyssynergia in normal transit constipation.
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An unusual case is reported in which intramural rectal hematoma resulted from rectal insertion of a foreign body. The patient was admitted to the hospital for observation and was catheterized because of urinary retention. The patient was discharged from the hospital after four days; for the last two days of this hospital stay, the patient received a liquid diet. We conclude that for some cases of uncomplicated intramural rectal hematoma, conservative management is safe and preferable to surgically draining the hematoma, which would increase the risk of infection.