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Techniques in Coloproctology Nov 2023Inguinal lymph nodes are a rare but recognised site of metastasis in rectal adenocarcinoma. No guideline or consensus exists for the management of such cases. This... (Review)
Review
PURPOSE
Inguinal lymph nodes are a rare but recognised site of metastasis in rectal adenocarcinoma. No guideline or consensus exists for the management of such cases. This review aims to provide a contemporary and comprehensive analysis of the published literature to aid clinical decision-making.
METHODS
Systematic searches were performed using the PubMed, Embase, MEDLINE and Scopus and Cochrane CENTRAL Library databases from inception till December 2022. All studies reporting on the presentation, prognosis or management of patients with inguinal lymph node metastases (ILNM) were included. Pooled proportion meta-analyses were completed when possible and descriptive synthesis was utilised for the remaining outcomes. The Joanna Briggs Institute tool for case series was used to assess the risk of bias.
RESULTS
Nineteen studies were eligible for inclusion, encompassing 18 case series and one population-based study using national registry data. A total of 487 patients were included in the primary studies. The prevalence of ILNM in rectal cancer is 0.36%. ILNM are associated with very low rectal tumours with a mean distance from the anal verge of 1.1 cm (95% CI 0.92-1.27). Invasion of the dentate line was found in 76% of cases (95% CI 59-93). In patients with isolated inguinal lymph node metastases, modern chemoradiotherapy regimens in combination with surgical excision of inguinal nodes are associated with 5-year overall survival rates of 53-78%.
CONCLUSION
In specific subsets of patients with ILNM, curative-intent treatment regimens are feasible, with oncological outcomes akin to those demonstrated in locally advanced rectal cancers.
Topics: Humans; Lymphatic Metastasis; Inguinal Canal; Adenocarcinoma; Lymph Nodes; Rectal Neoplasms; Lymph Node Excision; Retrospective Studies
PubMed: 37233960
DOI: 10.1007/s10151-023-02826-x -
American Journal of Infection Control Dec 2023SARS-CoV-2 ribonucleic acid (RNA) has been detected in feces, but RNA is not infectious. This systematic review aims to answer if fecal SARS-CoV-2 is experimentally... (Review)
Review
BACKGROUND
SARS-CoV-2 ribonucleic acid (RNA) has been detected in feces, but RNA is not infectious. This systematic review aims to answer if fecal SARS-CoV-2 is experimentally infectious and if evidence of human fecal-oral SARS-CoV-2 transmission exists.
METHODS
On September 19, 2022, we searched PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, medRxiv, and bioRxiv. Biomedical studies inoculating SARS-CoV-2 from feces, rectal, or anal swabs in cells, tissue, organoids, or animals were included. Epidemiological studies of groups differing in exposure to fecal SARS-CoV-2 were included. Risk of bias was assessed using standardized tools. Results were summarized by vote counting, tabulation, and a harvest plot. PROSPERO registration no. CRD42020221719.
RESULTS
A total of 4,874 studies were screened; 26 studies were included; and 13 out of 23 biomedical studies (56.5%) succeeded in infection. Two (66.7%) epidemiological studies found limited evidence suggesting fecal-oral transmission. All studies had concerns about the risk of bias.
CONCLUSIONS
It is possible to experimentally infect cell cultures, organoids, and animals with fecal SARS-CoV-2. No strong epidemiologic evidence was found to support human fecal-oral transmission. We advise future research to study fecal infectivity at different time points during infection, apply appropriate controls, use in vivo models, and study fecal exposure as a risk factor of transmission in human populations.
Topics: Humans; SARS-CoV-2; COVID-19; Feces; RNA
PubMed: 37121473
DOI: 10.1016/j.ajic.2023.04.170 -
Stem Cell Research & Therapy Apr 2023Perianal fistulas, characterised as granulomatous inflammation of fistulas around the anal canal, are associated with significant morbidity resulting in a negative... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis Review
BACKGROUND
Perianal fistulas, characterised as granulomatous inflammation of fistulas around the anal canal, are associated with significant morbidity resulting in a negative impact on quality of life and a tremendous burden to the healthcare system. Treatment of anal fistulas usually consists of anal surgery; however, results of closure rates are not satisfactory especially with complex perianal fistulas, after which many patients may suffer from anal incontinence. Recently, the administration of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) has shown promising efficacy. Herein, we aim to explore whether MSCs are effective for complex perianal fistulas and if they have either short-term, medium-term, long-term or over-long-term efficacy. Additionally, we want to elucidate whether factors such as drug dosage, MSC source, cell type, and disease aetiology influence treatment efficacy. We searched four online databases and analysed data based on information within the clinical trials registry. The outcomes of eligible trials were analysed with Review Manager 5.4.1. Relative risk and related 95% confidence interval were calculated to compare the effect between the MSCs and control groups. In addition, the Cochrane risk of bias tool was applied to evaluate the bias risk of eligible studies. Meta-analyses showed that therapy with MSCs was superior to conventional treatment for complex perianal fistulas in short-, long- and over-long-term follow-up phases. However, there was no statistical difference in treatment efficacy in the medium term between the two methods. Subgroup meta-analyses showed factors including cell type, cell source and cell dosage were superior compared to the control, but there was no significant difference between different experimental groups of those factors. Besides, local MSCs therapy has shown more promising results for fistulas as a result of Crohn's Disease (CD). Although we tend to maintain that MSCs therapy is effective for cryptoglandular fistulas equally, more studies are needed to confirm this conclusion in the future.
SHORT CONCLUSION
MSCs Transplantation could be a new therapeutic method for complex perianal fistulas of both cryptoglandular and CD origin showing high efficacy in the short-term to over-long-term phases, as well as high efficacy in sustained healing. The difference in cell types, cell sources and cell dosages did not influence MSCs' efficacy.
Topics: Humans; Quality of Life; Mesenchymal Stem Cell Transplantation; Treatment Outcome; Mesenchymal Stem Cells; Rectal Fistula; Crohn Disease
PubMed: 37101285
DOI: 10.1186/s13287-023-03331-6 -
International Journal of Surgery... Apr 2024The efficacy of intersphincteric resection (ISR) surgery for patients with lower rectal cancer remains unclear compared to abdominoperineal resection (APR). The aim of... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis Comparative Study
BACKGROUND
The efficacy of intersphincteric resection (ISR) surgery for patients with lower rectal cancer remains unclear compared to abdominoperineal resection (APR). The aim of this study is to compare the oncologic outcomes for lower rectal cancer patients after ISR and APR through a systematic review and meta-analysis.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
A systematic electronic search of the Cochrane Library, PubMed, EMBASE, and MEDLINE was performed through January 12, 2022. The primary outcomes included 5-year disease-free survival (5y-DFS) and 5-year overall survival. Secondary outcomes included circumferential resection margin involvement, local recurrence, perioperative outcomes, and other long-term outcomes. The pooled odds ratios, mean difference, or hazard ratios (HRs) of each outcome measurement and their 95% CIs were calculated.
RESULTS
A total of 20 nonrandomized controlled studies were included in the qualitative analysis, with 1217 patients who underwent ISR and 1135 patients who underwent APR. There was no significant difference in 5y-DFS (HR: 0.84, 95% CI: 0.55-1.29; P =0.43) and 5-year overall survival (HR: 0.93, 95% CI: 0.60-1.46; P =0.76) between the two groups. Using the results of five studies that reported matched T stage and tumor distance, we performed another pooled analysis. Compared to APR, the ISR group had equal 5y-DFS (HR: 0.76, 95% CI: 0.45-1.30; P =0.31) and 5y-LRFS (local recurrence-free survival) (HR: 0.72, 95% CI: 0.29-1.78; P =0.48). Meanwhile, ISR had equivalent local control as well as perioperative outcomes while significantly reducing the operative time (mean difference: -24.89, 95% CI: -45.21 to -4.57; P =0.02) compared to APR.
CONCLUSIONS
Our results show that the long-term survival and safety of patients is not affected by ISR surgery, although this result needs to be carefully considered and requires further study due to the risk of bias and limited data.
Topics: Humans; Rectal Neoplasms; Proctectomy; Anal Canal; Treatment Outcome; Disease-Free Survival; Neoplasm Recurrence, Local
PubMed: 36928167
DOI: 10.1097/JS9.0000000000000205 -
International Journal of Surgery... Mar 2023
Meta-Analysis
Botulinum toxin as a promising surgical strategy for chronic anal fissure: do the dose and injection site matter? Comparison of doses and injection sites of botulinum toxin for chronic anal fissure: A systematic review and network meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.
Topics: Humans; Fissure in Ano; Network Meta-Analysis; Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; Botulinum Toxins, Type A; Anal Canal; Chronic Disease; Treatment Outcome
PubMed: 36906767
DOI: 10.1097/JS9.0000000000000022 -
Advances in Therapy May 2023This systematic literature review (SLR) assessed incidence/prevalence of cryptoglandular fistulas (CCF) and outcomes associated with local surgical and intersphincteric... (Review)
Review
INTRODUCTION
This systematic literature review (SLR) assessed incidence/prevalence of cryptoglandular fistulas (CCF) and outcomes associated with local surgical and intersphincteric ligation procedures for CCFs.
METHODS
Two trained reviewers searched PubMed and Embase for observational studies evaluating the incidence/prevalence of cryptoglandular fistula and clinical outcomes of treatments for CCF after local surgical and intersphincteric ligation procedures for CCF.
RESULTS
In total 148 studies met a priori eligibility criteria for all cryptoglandular fistulas and all intervention types. Of those, two assessed incidence/prevalence of cryptoglandular fistulas. Eighteen reported clinical outcomes of surgeries of interest in CCF and were published in the past 5 years. Prevalence was reported as 1.35/10,000 non-Crohn's patients, and 52.6% of non-IBD patients were found to progress from anorectal abscess to fistula over 12 months. Primary healing rates ranged from 57.1% to 100%; recurrence occurred in a range of 4.9-60.7% and failure in 2.8-18.0% of patients. Limited published evidence suggests postoperative fecal incontinence and long-term postoperative pain were rare. Several of the studies were limited by single-center design with small sample sizes and short follow-up durations.
DISCUSSION
This SLR summarizes outcomes from specific surgical procedures for the treatment of CCF. Healing rates vary according to procedure and clinical factors. Differences in study design, outcome definition, and length of follow-up prevent direct comparison. Overall, published studies offer a wide range of findings with respect to recurrence. Postsurgical incontinence and long-term postoperative pain were rare in the included studies, but more research is needed to confirm rates of these conditions following CCF treatments.
CONCLUSION
Published studies on the epidemiology of CCF are rare and limited. Outcomes of local surgical and intersphincteric ligation procedures show differing success and failure rates, and more research is needed to compare outcomes across various procedures. (PROSPERO; registration number CRD42020177732).
Topics: Humans; Rectal Fistula; Anal Canal; Recurrence; Ligation; Pain, Postoperative; Treatment Outcome
PubMed: 36905499
DOI: 10.1007/s12325-023-02452-x -
Journal of the National Cancer Institute May 2023A minority of phase III trials in gastrointestinal oncology are positive. We assessed the association between their outcome and the level and characteristics of...
BACKGROUND
A minority of phase III trials in gastrointestinal oncology are positive. We assessed the association between their outcome and the level and characteristics of preexisting evidence.
METHODS
EMBASE, PubMed, and proceedings from international meetings were searched for phase III gastrointestinal cancer trials (gastroesophageal, hepatocellular, biliary tract, pancreatic, small bowel, colorectal, anal, stromal, and neuroendocrine) between January 2000 and June 2020. Trials investigating anticancer drugs for advanced disease, with superiority design and standard treatments as control were eligible. The highest level of preexisting evidence was retrieved from the main study report.
RESULTS
A total of 193 phase III trials were included, and 69 (35.8%) met their primary endpoint. Positivity rates were as follows: gastroesophageal 37%, colorectal 48%, pancreatic 17.1%, hepatocellular 20%, neuroendocrine 75%, and both biliary tract and GIST 60%. No information about preexisting evidence was found for 44 trials (22.8%). For the remaining 149, preexisting evidence consisted of phase II studies in 123 cases (82.6%) and phase I studies in 26 cases (17.4%). The probability of success was 34.1%, 35.8%, and 35.7%, respectively (P = .934). No parameter from prior studies predicted the outcome of phase III trials except β < .2 (P = .048). A numerically increased success rate was observed for phase III trials preceded by positive phase II studies (41.9% vs 18.5%, P = .2).
CONCLUSIONS
There does not appear to be an association between level of prior evidence and success of phase III gastrointestinal cancer trials. These data, along with the high phase III failure rate, highlight the need to improve the drug development process in this setting.
Topics: Humans; Antineoplastic Agents; Medical Oncology; Gastrointestinal Neoplasms; Colorectal Neoplasms; Clinical Trials, Phase III as Topic
PubMed: 36762842
DOI: 10.1093/jnci/djad030 -
Surgical Endoscopy May 2023In the advancement of transanal local excision, robot-assisted transanal minimal invasive surgery is the newest development. In the confined area of the rectum,... (Review)
Review
BACKGROUND
In the advancement of transanal local excision, robot-assisted transanal minimal invasive surgery is the newest development. In the confined area of the rectum, robot-assisted surgery should, theoretically, be superior due to articulated utensils, video enhancement, and tremor reduction, however, this has not yet been investigated. The aim of this study was to review the evidence reported to-date on experience of using robot-assisted transanal minimal invasive surgery for treatment of rectal neoplasms.
METHODS
A comprehensive literature search of Embase and PubMed from May to August 2021were performed. Studies including patients diagnosed with rectal neoplasia or benign polyps who underwent robot-assisted transanal minimal invasive surgery were included. All studies were assessed for risk of bias through assessment tools. Main outcome measures were feasibility, excision quality, and complications.
RESULTS
Twenty-five studies with a total of 322 local excisions were included. The studies included were all retrospective, primarily case-reports, -series, and cohort studies. The median distance from the anal verge ranged from 3.5 to 10 cm and the median size was between 2.5 and 5.3 cm. Overall, 4.6% of the resections had a positive resection margin. The overall complication rate was at 9.5% with severe complications (Clavien-Dindo score III) at 0.9%.
CONCLUSION
Based on limited, retrospective data, with a high risk of bias, robot-assisted transanal minimal invasive surgery seems feasible and safe for local excisions in the rectum.
Topics: Humans; Robotics; Retrospective Studies; Feasibility Studies; Rectum; Rectal Neoplasms; Anal Canal; Transanal Endoscopic Surgery; Margins of Excision; Treatment Outcome
PubMed: 36707419
DOI: 10.1007/s00464-022-09853-z -
Journal of Ultrasound Jun 2023Endoanal ultrasound (3D-EAUS) is the gold standard imaging investigation for evaluating the anal sphincter; unfortunately, it is not universally available in most...
INTRODUCTION
Endoanal ultrasound (3D-EAUS) is the gold standard imaging investigation for evaluating the anal sphincter; unfortunately, it is not universally available in most obstetric units. This study aims to appraise the ability of transperineal ultrasound (TPUS) compared with 3D-EAUS as the gold standard to identify anal sphincter defects after primary repair of OASIS.
METHODS
A systematic search of major databases to identify diagnostic accuracy of 3D-TPUS in evaluating anal sphincter defects. Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines were designed for this systematic review. The risk of bias and applicability concerns were assessed using the QUADAS-2 tool. Our eligibility criteria are patients with a history of primary repair of anal sphincter injuries (OASIS). They were followed up after the primary repair to detect the anal sphincter defect using 3D-TPUS vs. 3D-EAUS as a gold standard.
RESULTS
Two eligible observational studies were included and assessed for risk of bias using the QUADAS-2 tool and showed a low risk of bias and a low risk of concerns. 3D-TPUS had various sensitivity to detect external anal sphincter defects in two studies; meanwhile, the specificity was around 67-70%. For detecting the internal anal sphincter defects, 3D-TPUS had low sensitivity but high specificity (93-94%).
CONCLUSION
3D-TPUS had various sensitivity to detect external anal sphincter defects and low sensitivity to detect internal anal sphincter defects. On the other hand, 3D-TPUS had low specificity for detecting external anal sphincter defects and high specificity for detecting internal anal sphincter defects.
Topics: Pregnancy; Female; Humans; Anal Canal; Ultrasonography; Abdominal Injuries
PubMed: 36630015
DOI: 10.1007/s40477-022-00763-3 -
European Journal of Pediatric Surgery :... Oct 2023Rectal atresia (RA) affects only 1 to 2% of all children with anorectal malformations. No consensus on optimal treatment strategy is yet achieved. Therefore, the aim of...
Rectal atresia (RA) affects only 1 to 2% of all children with anorectal malformations. No consensus on optimal treatment strategy is yet achieved. Therefore, the aim of this systematic review is to summarize all surgical interventions for RA and outcomes described in the current literature. A literature search was conducted in PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, and Cochrane Library on January 24, 2022. All studies describing treatment for RA in children (< 18 years) were included. Operation technique and postoperative complications were listed. Only descriptive analysis was anticipated. Quality of the studies was assessed using Johanna Briggs Institute critical appraisal checklist for case reports and series. The search yielded 6,716 studies of which, after duplicate removal, 4,028 were excluded based on title and abstract screening. After full-text assessment, 22 of 90 studies were included, yielding 70 patients. Posterior sagittal anorectoplasty (PSARP) and pull-through were most performed (43/70 and 18/70 patients, respectively). Four patients experienced postoperative complications: anal stenosis ( = 1), anastomotic stenosis ( = 2), and death due to a pulmonary complication ( = 1). In the low-quality literature available, most patients with RA are treated with PSARP or pull-through technique. A low complication rate of both has been described but follow-up was often not mentioned. Larger well-designed studies should be performed to determine optimal treatment strategy for children with RA. This study reflects level of evidence V.
Topics: Humans; Child; Anorectal Malformations; Constriction, Pathologic; Anal Canal; Rectum; Rectal Diseases; Postoperative Complications; Retrospective Studies; Treatment Outcome
PubMed: 36516962
DOI: 10.1055/s-0042-1758152