The tip of the iceberg of colorectal perforation from enema: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Efficacy and safety of elobixibat in combination with or switched from conventional treatments of chronic constipation: A retrospective observational study

Background and Aim

Elobixibat is a triple mode of action laxative that increases water secretion into the colon, promotes colonic motility, and reestablishes the defecation desire. This study aims to evaluate the effectivity and safety of elobixibat in chronic constipation (CC) patients refractory to conventional laxatives.

Methods

A single-center retrospective observational study was conducted in refractory CC patients diagnosed according to the Rome IV criteria and received elobixibat between April 2018 and June 2022 at Osaka Saiseikai Nakatsu Hospital. Data were collected for spontaneous bowel movement (SBM), Bristol stool form scale (BSFS) scores, abdominal symptoms, and adverse events.

Results

Eligible 311 patients were selected for the analysis. Two-week Elobixibat treatment significantly increased SBM (times/week) from 2.9 ± 1.9 to 4.3 ± 1.9 (P < 0.0001). The BSFS score improved significantly from 3.2 ± 1.7 to 4.4 ± 1.4 (P < 0.0001). The percentages of patients with hard stool were decrease and that with normal stools were increase. Improvements in abdominal symptoms (sensation of incomplete bowel evacuation, straining, abdominal pain and distention, and difficulty defecating) were also significant (P < 0.05). These constipation symptoms were improved irrespective of patient characteristics or previous laxatives. The 43.9% of previous laxatives were discontinued at the start of or after starting elobixibat treatment. A few adverse events were observed, elobixibat was well tolerated.

Conclusion

Elobixibat was effective in patients who were refractory to other laxatives, irrespective of previous therapy or patient characteristics. Elobixibat may contribute to resolving polypharmacy with single mode of action laxatives.

Expert Consensus Document: An Algorithm for the Care and Treatment of Patients with Constipation Based on Ultrasonographic Findings in the Rectum

Chronic constipation is a common gastrointestinal disorder, and its management is critical. However, it is extremely difficult to assess its subjective symptoms when patients are unable to report them due to cognitive or physical disabilities, especially in cases of patients with incurable geriatric, pediatric, palliative, psychiatric, or neurological diseases. We had previously established a protocol for observing and assessing rectal fecal retention using ultrasonography and for classifying cases into three categories based on the rectal findings: no fecal retention, fecal retention without hard stools, and fecal retention with hard stools. However, although the detection of rectal fecal retention using ultrasonography would be expected to lead to better therapeutic management, there is no standard algorithm for selecting specific treatments and defecation care options based on ultrasonographic findings. Therefore, we organized an expert consensus meeting of multidisciplinary professionals to develop such an algorithm based on rectal ultrasonography findings for patients with constipation in both residential and hospital settings.

Iatrogenic rectal perforation due to application of topical treatment in a patient with ulcerative colitis: a rare complication

Rectal perforations due to topical treatments (enemas or foams) are unusual complications and they have been mostly reported in the use of barium enemas or in elderly patients with constipation. Very little has been reported about perforations secondary to topical treatment in patients with ulcerative colitis. We present the case of a patient with ulcerative colitis who suffered a rectal perforation complicated with a superinfected collection after the application of topical mesalazine foam.

Rectal Perforation Secondary to a Self-Administered Water-Hose Enema: A Case Report and Literature Review

Chronic functional constipation is a common condition that can have a significant impact on a patient's quality of life and healthcare costs. Hydrostatic enemas are a commonly observed practice among patients with chronic constipation. Rectal perforation is a rare yet serious complication that can be fatal if not diagnosed and treated promptly. Here, we present the case of an elderly lady with Parkinson's disease who presented with upper rectal perforation after using a hydrostatic enema and was treated with Hartmann's procedure. This case highlights the importance of having a low threshold for suspecting and diagnosing colorectal perforation in patients presenting with abdominal pain after receiving a hydrostatic enema.

Prior endoscopic resection does not affect the outcome of secondary surgery for T1 colorectal cancer, a systematic review and meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

It remains unclear the effect of prior endoscopic resection (ER) on the secondary surgery (SS) for T1 colorectal cancer (CRC). This study aimed to compare the short- and long-term outcomes between primary surgery (PS) and ER followed by SS for T1 CRC.

METHODS

A systematic literature search was performed in PubMed and Ovid for studies comparing PS with ER followed by SS for T1 colorectal cancer. The last search was performed on 18 May 2021. The primary outcomes were surgical parameters and the secondary outcomes were survival indicators. The meta-analysis was performed with Review Manager Software (version 5.3).

RESULTS

A total of fifteen studies published between 2013 and 2021 with 4349 patients were included in this meta-analysis finally. No significant difference was observed between the two groups for operative time (P = 0.75, WMD = 3.16, 95%CI [-15.88, 22.19], I² = 64%), blood loss (P = 0.86, WMD = 12.33, 95%CI [-122.99, 147.65], I² = 95%), and postoperative complications (P = 0.59, OR = 0.93, 95%CI [0.71, 1.22], I² = 0%). Besides, the two groups showed comparable survival outcomes, including overall recurrence rate (P = 0.15, OR = 0.78, 95%CI [0.56, 1.09], I² = 23%) and 5-year overall survival (P = 0.76, OR = 0.86, 95%CI [0.33, 2.25], I² = 0%). In the subgroup analysis for studies with propensity matching score or lesions located in the rectum, the results were not changed.

CONCLUSION

ER followed by SS is feasible for T1 CRC with high-risk factors. The prior ER would not bring additional adverse effects to the SS. More advanced tools should be developed to improve the diagnostic accuracy for the high-risk factors before treatment for T1 CRC.

Broken beer bottle as a cause of sigmoid perforation: A summary of causes and predictors in the management of traumatic and non-traumatic colorectal perforation

INTRODUCTION AND IMPORTANCE

The presence of foreign bodies at the colorectal level and associated complications is a problem that has become increasingly common in emergency departments. This condition carries high health costs, in addition to having high morbidity and mortality rates, due to the large number of complications such as perforation.

CASE PRESENTATION

46-year-old male patient, who came to the emergency department of a low-level hospital with a clinical picture of approximately one day of evolution consisting of the violent introduction of a foreign body (bottle) at the anorectal level secondary to aggression in a fight, with subsequent endoluminal rupture.

CLINICAL DISCUSSION

The most recent evidence indicates that the incidence of perforation as a complication of colorectal foreign body introduction is low. However, the presence of profuse bleeding, advanced age, presence of comorbidities and sepsis are predictors of poor prognosis in these cases. In general, perforation secondary to non-traumatic causes is more frequent, being predominantly due to colorectal cancer, ischemia, diverticulitis, inflammatory bowel disease, inadequate use of enema, iatrogenic endoscopy or anorectal manometry or fecal impaction. The presence of unfavorable factors prolongs hospital stay, the risk of reoperation, perianal infection, peritonitis, sepsis and wound infection, generating mortality rates of up to 38%.

CONCLUSION

Colorectal perforation is more frequent in non-traumatic situations and carries health costs and risk of mortality. Its management depends on hospital aspects, clinical context of the patient and training of health personnel. However, most of the outcomes are favorable.

The assessment of risk factors for long-term survival outcome in ypN0 patients with rectal cancer after neoadjuvant therapy and radical anterior resection

BACKGROUND

The main negative prognostic factors in patients with rectal cancer after radical treatment include regional lymph node involvement, lymphovascular invasion, and perineural invasion. However, some patients still develop cancer recurrence despite the absence of the above risk factors. The aim of the study was to assess clinicopathological factors influencing long-term oncologic outcomes in ypN0M0 rectal cancer patients after neoadjuvant therapy and radical anterior resection.

METHODS

A retrospective survival analysis was performed on a group of 195 patients. We assessed clinicopathological factors which included tumor regression grade, number of lymph nodes in the specimen, Charlson comorbidity index (CCI), and colorectal anastomotic leakage (AL).

RESULTS

In the univariate analysis, AL and CCI > 3 had a significant negative impact on disease-free survival (DFS), disease-specific survival (DSS), and overall survival (OS). After the division of ALs into early and late ALs, it was found that only patients with late ALs had a significantly worse survival. The multivariate Cox regression analysis showed that CCI > 3 was a significant adverse risk factor for DFS (HR 5.78, 95% CI 2.15-15.51, p < 0.001), DSS (HR 7.25, 95% CI 2.25-23.39, p < 0.001), and OS (HR 3.9, 95% CI 1.72-8.85, p = 0.001). Similarly, late ALs had a significant negative impact on the risk of DFS (HR 5.05, 95% CI 1.97-12.93, p < 0.001), DSS (HR 10.84, 95% CI 3.44-34.18, p < 0.001), and OS (HR 4.3, 95% CI 1.94-9.53, p < 0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

Late AL and CCI > 3 are the factors that may have an impact on long-term oncologic outcomes. The impact of lymph node yield on understaging was not demonstrated.