Histologic and immunohistochemical studies of rectus sheath in obese patients

Is There a Precise Correlation between the Lengths of the Peritoneal Reflection and the Middle Rectal Valve?

Introduction Pelvic anatomy remains a challenge, and thorough knowledge of its intricate landmarks has major clinical and surgical implications in several medical specialties. The peritoneal reflection is an important landmark in intraluminal surgery, rectal trauma, impalement, and rectal adenocarcinoma.

Objectives To investigate the correlation between the lengths of the middle rectal valve and of the peritoneal reflection determined with rigid sigmoidoscopy and to determine whether there are any differences in the location of the peritoneal reflection between the genders and in relation to body mass index (BMI) and parity.

Design We prospectively investigated the location of the middle rectal valve and of the peritoneal reflection via intraoperative rigid sigmoidoscopy in colorectal cancer patients undergoing elective colorectal surgery.

Results We evaluated 38 patients with a mean age of 55.5 years old (57.5% males) who underwent colorectal surgery at the coloproctology service of the Hospital Santa Marcelina, São Paulo, state of São Paulo, Brazil. There was substantial agreement between the lengths of the middle rectal valve and of the peritoneal reflection (Kappa = 0.66). In addition, the peritoneal reflection was significantly lower in overweight patients (p = 0.013 for women and p < 0.005 for men) and in women with > 2 vaginal deliveries (p = 0.009), but there was no significant difference in the length of the peritoneal reflection between genders (p = 0.32).

Conclusion There was substantial agreement between the lengths of the peritoneal reflection and of the middle rectal valve, and the peritoneal reflection was significantly lower in overweight patients and in women with more than two vaginal deliveries.

Dislocation rate increases with bariatric surgery before total hip arthroplasty

INTRODUCTION

Annually in the USA, 113,000 patients with refractory obesity undergo bariatric surgery (BS), and a subset does so in order to lower body mass index to become a more desirable total hip arthroplasty (THA) candidate. This study aims to evaluate THA risk with and without bariatric surgery.

METHODS

12,160 patients were identified in a claim-based review of the entire Medicare database with ICD-9 codes to identify patients in three groups. Patients who underwent BS prior to THA (Group I: 1,545 experimental group) and two control groups that did not undergo BS but had either a body mass index >40 (Group II: 6,918 bariatric control) or <25 (Group III: 3,697 normal weight control). Preoperative demographics/comorbidities and short-term medical (30 day) and long-term surgical (90-day and 2-year) complications were evaluated.

RESULTS

Group I had female predominance, youngest age, and highest incidence of: deficiency anaemia, cardiovascular disease, liver disease, diabetes, polysubstance abuse, psychiatric disorders and smoking. At 2 years, Group I had approximately twice the dislocation and revision risk compared to both Groups II and III; Groups I and II had over four times the risk of infection and wound complications compared to Group III.

CONCLUSION

In the Medicare population, these patients continue to have complication rates similar to and sometimes greater than obese patients with no prior bariatric surgery. Greater dislocation risk is possibly due to ligamentous laxity related to decreased collagen/elastin and/or component malposition due to intraoperative visualisation challenges.

Are Obese Patients at an Increased Risk of Pelvic Floor Dysfunction Compared to Non-obese Patients?

PURPOSE

Factors associated with increased intra-abdominal pressure such as chronic cough, morbid obesity, and constipation may be related to pelvic floor dysfunction. In this study, we compared anorectal manometry values and clinical data of class II and III morbidly obese patients referred to bariatric surgery with that of non-obese patients.

METHODS

We performed a case-matched study between obese patients referred to bariatric surgery and non-obese patients without anorectal complaints. The groups were matched by age and gender. Men and nulliparous women with no history of abdominal or anorectal surgery were included in the study. Anorectal manometry was performed by the stationary technique, and clinical evaluation was based on validated questionnaires.

RESULTS

Mean age was 44.8 ± 12.5 years (mean ± SD) in the obese group and 44.1 ± 11.8 years in the non-obese group (p = 0.829). In the obese group, 65.4% of patients had some degree of fecal incontinence. Mean squeeze pressure was significantly lower in obese than in non-obese patients (155.6 ± 64.1 vs. 210.1 ± 75.9 mmHg, p = 0.004), and there was no significant difference regarding mean rest pressure in obese patients compared to non-obese ones (63.7 ± 23.1 vs. 74.1 ± 21.8 mmHg, p = 0.051). There were no significant differences in anorectal manometry values between continent and incontinent obese patients.

CONCLUSIONS

The prevalence of fecal incontinence among obese patients was high regardless of age, gender, and body mass index. Anal squeeze pressure was significantly lower in obese patients compared to non-obese controls.

Incisional and Parastomal Hernia following Radical Cystectomy and Urinary Diversion: The University of Southern California Experience

PURPOSE

Hernia is a common complication following radical cystectomy and urinary diversion. We investigated the clinical and radiological evidence for parastomal and incisional hernias, and their risk factors in a large cohort.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Using an institutional review board approved prospective database we reviewed the records of 1,101 patients who underwent radical cystectomy from 2003 to 2013. Followup (median 57 months) was available for 670 patients. Of the 670 patients 92 underwent ileal conduit diversion using Turnbull stomas with a median followup 34 months. Patients were followed with computerized tomography cancer surveillance. Standardized criteria were used to define parastomal and incisional hernias by an expert radiologist. Multivariate logistic regression was done to identify independent predictors.

RESULTS

Parastomal hernia was diagnosed in 21 of 92 patients (23%) with a mean age at diagnosis of 76.5 years. Incisional hernia was present in 125 of 670 patients (18.7%) with a mean age at diagnosis of 68.6 years. Five patients had both hernia types. Of patients with parastomal and incisional hernias 11 (53%) and 111 (88.8%), respectively, were male. Mean body mass index was 27.5 and 27.3 kg/m(2) in patients with parastomal and incisional hernias, respectively. Mean parastomal and incisional defect sizes were 3.8 and 2.4 cm, respectively. In 18 patients (85%) parastomal hernias were clinically and radiologically evident, 5 patients were symptomatic and 2 underwent repair. In 51 patients (40%) incisional hernias were clinically and radiologically evident, 34 were symptomatic and 48 underwent repair. Multivariate logistic regression showed significant associations of incisional hernia with age, gender, incision length, orthotopic diversion and body mass index. Parastomal hernia had no significant association.

CONCLUSIONS

Hernia is common after cystectomy and diversion. Age, gender, body mass index, incision length and diversion type are risk factors for incisional hernia. Multi-institutional prospective studies may better identify patients at high risk.