Diseases of the colon and rectum
-
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.
-
Clinical Trial
Does serum CA19-9 play a practical role in the management of patients with colorectal cancer?
CA19-9 is often used in combination with carcinoembryonic antigen to manage patients with colorectal cancer, even though there is insufficient evidence to support this use of CA19-9. Carcinoembryonic antigen, by contrast, has been regarded as a better indicator of poor prognosis and recurrence. The purpose of this study is to clarify whether CA19-9 is, in fact, a useful marker in the management of colorectal cancer patients by comparing it with carcinoembryonic antigen. ⋯ We could not find clinical significance to support the use of CA19-9 to predict the prognosis and detect recurrence of colorectal cancer. Because of this, we do not recommend routine use of CA19-9 in staging and surveillance of colorectal cancer patients.
-
There are many methods described for the treatment of sacrococcygeal pilonidal sinus disease, and none of them has been accepted as an optimal modality. Plastic procedures have some advantages, such as short duration of hospitalization, quick healing time, low risk of wound infection, and lower recurrence rates. Our choice is Limberg flap repair; we present here our experience with this procedure. ⋯ The Limberg flap procedure is an easy and effective technique. Patient comfort, quick healing time, early return to full activity, and low complication and recurrence rates are the important advantages of this procedure.
-
Comparative Study
Oncological outcomes after total mesorectal excision for cure for cancer of the lower rectum: anterior vs. abdominoperineal resection.
This study was designed to examine the outcome of cancer of the lower rectum, particularly the rates of local recurrence and survival for tumors located in this area that have been treated by anterior or abdominoperineal resections. ⋯ T4 tumors, R1 resections, and/or intraoperative perforation of the tumor or bowel wall are main features of low rectal cancers, causing inferior oncologic outcomes for tumors in this area. If surgery is optimized, preventing intraoperative perforation and involvement of the circumferential resection margin, the prognosis for cancers of the lower rectum seems not to be inherently different from that for tumors at higher levels. In that case, the level of the tumor or the type of resection will not be indicators for selecting patients for radiotherapy.
-
Total pelvic exenteration is performed infrequently in selected patients with locally advanced or recurrent colorectal cancer. We reviewed our contemporary experience with pelvic exenteration for colorectal cancer to identify selection criteria and prognostic factors for long-term survival. ⋯ Total pelvic exenteration can be performed safely in highly selected patients with colorectal cancer and can result in significantly prolonged survival. Less satisfactory outcomes are observed in patients whose indication for pelvic exenteration is recurrent colorectal cancer after abdominoperineal resection.