Diseases of the colon and rectum
-
There is little information about the impact of pelvic exenteration on patients' quality of life. This study aimed to measure quality of life for longer-term disease-free survivors after pelvic exenteration. ⋯ Despite the small sample, long-term quality of life in survivors of pelvic exenteration for rectal cancer is comparable to early results following primary rectal cancer resection and to mental but not physical norm-based population scores.
-
Metastatic colorectal cancer traditionally has been considered incurable. Over the past 3 decades, however, resection of low-volume hepatic disease has been recognized as beneficial in some cases. ⋯ Resection of metastases to more unusual sites (ovary, brain, peritoneal cavity) is more controversial; nevertheless, retrospective data suggest that a few patients may be cured with resection of these tumors. In this article, we review the history and current status of metastasectomy in stage IV colorectal cancer.
-
Comparative Study
Dufourmentel rhomboid flap in the radical treatment of primary and recurrent sacrococcygeal pilonidal disease.
The aim of this study was to assess early and late results of the Dufourmentel procedure in patients with primary and recurrent sacrococcygeal pilonidal disease. ⋯ The Dufourmentel flap is associated with minimal discomfort and excellent results. This technique can be considered in the first- and second-line management of pilonidal disease.
-
Multicenter Study
A clinical decision rule to establish the diagnosis of acute diverticulitis at the emergency department.
The aim of this study was to identify patients in whom the clinical diagnosis of diverticulitis can be made with a high certainty, distinguishing them from patients requiring imaging. ⋯ In a quarter of patients with suspected diverticulitis, the diagnosis can be made clinically based on a combination of direct tenderness only in the left lower quadrant, the absence of vomiting, and an elevated C-reactive protein. In patients without these features, imaging is required to reach adequate diagnostic accuracy.