AIM:This study aimed to evaluate whether implantation of an autologous skin graft in the intersphincteric space, as part of the ASGIIFT procedure, improves the primary healing of complex transsphincteric cryptoglandular anal fistulas. METHODS:A prospective observational IDEAL stage 2a study was conducted at a tertiary referral centre for minimally invasive colorectal surgery and proctology in Croatia between September 2021 and January 2023, with an 18-month follow-up. Preoperative pelvic MRI was performed in all cases, and 40 adult patients who met the inclusion criteria were included in the study. The primary outcome was the postoperative primary healing rate which was defined clinically. Secondary outcomes included postoperative continence disturbance, postoperative pain, time of healing and other postoperative complications (Wexner score and VAS - Visual Analogue Scale were used). The ASGIIFT procedure includes all standard steps of the LIFT technique (ligation of the intersphincteric fistula tract), with the addition of a pre-prepared autologous dermal graft placed into the intersphincteric space. The study was approved by the institutional ethics committee. RESULTS:Primary clinical healing was achieved in 35 patients (87.5%) within a median of 4 weeks postoperatively (range 3-6 weeks). Five initially unhealed patients showed conversion from transsphincteric to intersphincteric fistula during the follow-up period and were subsequently treated by fistulotomy without complications. No patient experienced worsening continence, and no serious postoperative complications occurred. CONCLUSION:ASGIIFT appears to be a safe and feasible technique for treating transsphincteric anal fistulas, showing promising early results in this single-centre IDEAL 2a study. Further prospective comparative studies are warranted to validate these initial findings.

Benigne bolesti anorektalne regije,

Background: Anastomotic leak rates after colorectal surgery remain high. In most left-sided colon and rectal resection surgeries, a circular stapler is utilized to create the primary bowel anastomosis. However, it remains unclear whether a relationship between circular stapler technology and anastomotic leak in left-sided colorectal surgery exists. Methods: A post-hoc analysis was conducted using a prospectively collected data set of patients from the 2017 European Society of Coloproctology snapshot audit who underwent elective left-sided resection (left hemicolectomy, sigmoid colectomy, or rectal resection) with a manual circular stapled anastomosis. Rates of anastomotic leak and unplanned intensive care unit stay in association with manual circular stapling were assessed. Patient-, disease-, geographical-, and surgeon-related factors as well as stapler brand were explored using multivariable regression models to identify predictors of adverse outcomes. Results: Across 3305 procedures, 8.0% of patients had an anastomotic leak and 2.1% had an unplanned intensive care unit stay. Independent predictors of anastomotic leak were male sex, minimal-access surgery converted to open surgery, and anastomosis height C11 (lower third rectum) (all P < 0.050). Independent predictors of unplanned intensive care unit stay were minimal-access surgery converted to open surgery and American Society of Anesthesiologists grade IV (all P < 0.050). Stapler device brand was not a predictor of anastomotic leak or unplanned intensive care unit stay in multivariable regression analysis. There were no differences in rates of anastomotic leak and unplanned intensive care unit stay according to stapler head diameter, geographical region, or surgeon experience. Conclusion: In patients undergoing left-sided bowel anastomosis, choice of manual circular stapler, in terms of manufacturer or head diameter, is not associated with rates of anastomotic leak and unplanned intensive care unit stay.

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Benigne bolesti anorektalne regije, u koje ubrajamo analne apscese, analne fistule, analne fisure i hemoroidalnu bolest, česta su stanja koja susreću liječnici obiteljske medicine kao i bolnički specijalisti. Unatoč rasprostranjenosti patologije, još uvijek ne postoje jasne smjernice za adekvatno liječenje navedenih stanja, koje se još uvijek često svodi na preporuke koje nemaju uporište u medicini temeljenoj na dokazima. Zbog toga je ekspertna skupina, u kojoj su sudjelovali članovi Hrvatskog društva za digestivnu kirurgiju kojima je uže područje interesa koloproktologija, odlučili sastaviti ove smjernice s namjerom da se standardizira liječenje benignih bolesti anorektalne regije, kako na primarnoj tako i na tercijarnoj razini.

The treatment of anal fistulas presents a challenge for surgeons because of their high incidence and recurrence rate, prolonged healing time, because we still do not have a single standardized technique that fits all, and last but not least, possible problems with some types of postoperative continence disturbance that may occur in cases of inadequate treatment. The most common symptoms that patients have who suffer from this disease are constant anal pain and soiling from the fistula tract which undoubtedly decreases the patient’s quality of life. Most fistulas have cryptoglandular etiology, but also may be associated with Crohn’s disease, trauma, radiation etc. This text gives an overview of modern approaches in anal fistula treatment with the emphasis on sphincter preserving techniques.

The aim of the study was to investigate whether the COVID-19 pandemic caused an increased incidence of complicated appendicitis due to the late presentation when compared to the pre-COVID-19 period. Summary Background Data. Acute appendicitis is one of the most common surgical emergencies. During the coronavirus-19 (COVID-19) pandemic, there has been a reported delay in the presentation of some urgencies to the emergency hospital departments. Methods. A total of 427 patients who underwent surgical treatment due to suspected acute appendicitis from June 2019 to November 2020 were retrospectively included in this study. The patients were divided into two groups: the first (pre-COVID-19) group consisted of patients who had surgery before the onset of COVID-19 pandemic (n = 240), while the second (COVID-19) group consisted of those who were operated during the COVID-19 pandemic (n = 187). The primary outcome of the study was to compare the incidence of perforated appendicitis before and during the onset of COVID-19. Results. Overall, 84 patients (19.67%) were diagnosed with perforated appendicitis. We found a weak significance (p=0.085) in the rate of perforated appendicitis between the pre-COVID-19 (17.08%) and the COVID-19 era (22.99%). Conclusions. We did not observe any significant difference in the complications of acute appendicitis before and during the COVID-19 pandemic in a university hospital in Rijeka. An emergent medical care should always be accessible.

Anal fistulas are still a huge challenge for surgeons because of their high incidence, high recurrence rate, prolonged healing time and possible complications such as fecal incontinence. Even though many surgical options have been described, we still do not have the standardized procedure. Patients who suffered from this problem have a low quality of life because of constant anal pain and soiling from anal tracts. Aside from cryptoglandular etiology, fistulas associated with Crohn’s disease are separate entity that requires a multidisciplinary approach. This chapter will be an overview of modern approaches in anal fistula treatment regardless of etiology with special consideration on how to avoid adverse outcomes and to improve patients’ quality of life.

Aim The Enhanced Recovery After Surgery (ERAS (R)) Society guidelines aim to standardize perioperative care in colorectal surgery via 25 principles. We aimed to assess the variation in uptake of these principles across an international network of colorectal units. Method An online survey was circulated amongst European Society of Coloproctology members in 2019-2020. For each ERAS principle, respondents were asked to score how frequently the principle was implemented in their hospital, from 1 ('rarely') to 4 ('always'). Respondents were also asked to recall whether practice had changed since 2017. Subgroup analyses based on hospital characteristics were conducted. Results Of hospitals approached, 58% responded to the survey (195/335), with 296 individual responses (multiple responses were received from some hospitals). The majority were European (163/195, 83.6%). Overall, respondents indicated they 'most often' or 'always' adhered to most individual ERAS principles (18/25, 72%). Variability in the uptake of principles was reported, with universal uptake of some principles (e.g., prophylactic antibiotics; early mobilization) and inconsistency from 'rarely' to 'always' in others (e.g., no nasogastric intubation; no preoperative fasting and carbohydrate drinks). In alignment with 2018 ERAS guideline updates, adherence to principles for prehabilitation, managing anaemia and postoperative nutrition appears to have increased since 2017. Conclusions Uptake of ERAS principles varied across hospitals, and not all 25 principles were equally adhered to. Whilst some principles exhibited a high level of acceptance, others had a wide variability in uptake indicative of controversy or barriers to uptake. Further research into specific principles is required to improve ERAS implementation.

Complex anal fistulas present a challenge to even a seasoned colorectal surgeon due to high rate of recurrence and a real possibility of fecal incontinence if treated with conventional methods (e.g., fistulotomy, fistulectomy, seton placement). Although the illness is benign in nature, it can significantly decrease patient’s quality of life because of symptoms like pain and soiling. Given those facts, minimally invasive or sphincter preserving methods of treatment were introduced. Some of these include: Video-assisted anal fistula treatment (VAAFT), ligation of intersphincteric fistula tract (LIFT), Fistula-tract laser closure (FILAC), rectal advancement flap (RAF), treatment with platelet cells and combinations of techniques. This chapter would be an overview of these novel techniques with reference to latest clinical trials and meta-analyses.

The aim of this study was to validate City of Hope Quality of Life-Ostomy Questionnaire (CoH-QoL-OQ) for assessing the quality of life (QoL) of ostomy patients in the Republic of Croatia. The CoH-QoL-OQ is widely used, but has not been translated or validated so it can be used in the Republic of Croatia. This cross-sectional study encompassed 302 surgery patients with colostomy, ileostomy, or urostomy (182 (60.3%) male and 120 (39.7%) female), whose average age is 59 (M = 59.3, SD = 15.8). The CoH-QoL-OQ was translated into Croatian language using accepted guidelines for translation. Patients were recruited in a telephone conversation, followed by mail containing the CoH-QoL–OQ delivered to the home addresses of the patients who agreed to participate. The collected data were analyzed to verify psychometric properties of the questionnaire on the Croatian sample. All subscales showed high level of internal consistency (Cronbach α = 0.73–0.89). The test-retest reliability indicated a very satisfactory temporal stability (r = 0.99). The Confirmatory Factor Analysis (CFA), showed that the originally established model was not adequate for the data (χ2 = 4237.88, p < 0.01, CFI = 0.540, NNFI = 0.481, RMSEA = 0.113). However, after modification that excluded problematic items, the data showed a better fit with the theoretical model (except for the LR chi-square test that remained statistically significant: χ2 = 1144.28, p < 0.01, CFI = 0.869, NNFI = 0.855 RMSEA = 0.077). We conclude that the CoH-QoL-OQ is a valid, reliable, and reducible instrument for measuring the health-related quality of life (HRQoL) among Croatian patients with ostomy in clinical research and clinical practice.

Aim: The aim of this prospective, nonrandomized, observational study was to present our results in operative treatment of complex anal fistulas using video-assisted anal fistula treatment (VAAFT) procedure with a curative intent in 2 years follow-up period. Materials and Methods: Between March 2016 and March 2018, 73 patients underwent the VAAFT procedure. Postoperative follow-up was 2 years, up to March 2020. Only patients with complex cryptoglandular anal fistulas were included. All patients were referred for magnetic resonance imaging of the pelvis. Fecal incontinence severity index score was used to assess any continence disturbance prior operation and postoperatively. Result: Primary healing occurred in 52 cases (71.23%) after first operation. From 21 patients who had recurrence or who had persisting disease, 16 patients accepted reoperation with second VAAFT procedure and additionally 10 patients achieved healing. From a total number of 73 patients who were included in study healing ultimately occurred in 62 cases (84.93%). In the first operation internal opening was identified in 47 cases (64.38%) and was closed with mattress suture, rectal advancement flap or ligation of intersphincteric fistula tract technique depending on its extent and type of fistula. Median primary healing rate was 6 weeks. There were no serious intra- or postoperative complications. None of the patients reported any type of continence disturbance. Discussion: VAAFT has been shown to offer good rates of healing, low morbidities, possibilities of multiple attempts in case of first failure and this series adds to the literature.

This is a case of 45 year old female patient who was diagnosed with complex high transphincteric anal fistula. The patient also had problems with chronic constipation lasting for 6 months secondary to anal stenosis. A colonoscopy, which was performed 2 years earlier, was normal. She underwent a pelvic MRI that, apart from the fistula, showed no other pathology.

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Ove smjernice prijevod su smjernica Svjetske gastroenteroloske organizacije (engl. World Gastroenterology Organization, WGO) objavljenih 2017. Politika WGO-a je objavljivanje prijevoda razlicitih gastroenteroloskih smjernica pa smo sukladno tome zatražili i dobili dopustenje za prijevod smjernica koje donosimo u integralnom obliku. Naravno, imajuci u vidu veliku raznolikost probiotskih sojeva na globalnom tržistu i razlicitu dostupnost u pojedinim zemljama, ovim smo smjernicama dodali prilagodbu s obzirom na dostupnost probiotika u Hrvatskoj. To je prikazano u posebnom clanku.

Zelic, Marko MD; Karlovic, Damir MD; Krsul, Dorian MD; Bacic, Ðordano MD Author Information

Diabetic gastroparesis (DGP), a delay in gastric emptying without obstruction to outflow as a complication of diabetes, typically develops after at least 10 years of diabetes. Cardinal symptoms include nausea, vomiting, early satiety, bloating, and upper abdominal pain. The aim of DGP treatment is to alleviate the severity and frequency of symptoms, improve the level of gastric emptying, ameliorate the patient's nutritional status and to optimize glycemic control. In the treatment of chronic drug-refractory nausea and vomiting secondaryto DGP, gastric electrical stimulation (GES) such as Enterra Therapy System (Medtronic Inc., Minneapolis, MN, USA) can be considered. It is well established that diabetic nephropathy is the most common cause of end-stage renal disease (ESRD) requiring renal replacement therapy. The exact prevalence of patients with severe DGP and ESRD is not known; however, finding a therapeutic approach to these patients, particularly those whose gastroparesis symptoms preclude them from undergoing kidney transplant procedure, represents a huge challenge. Our experience suggests that GES implantation can be an effective treatment modality for type 1 diabetic patients on peritoneal dialysis (PD) who are simultaneous pancreas-kidney transplantation candidates, by improving the severity and frequency of gastroparesis symptoms and eventually ensuring their optimal nutritional and fluid intake.

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is one of the most common malignant tumors in Western countries. The treatment outcomes of this disease have improved significantly in recent years due to the improvement of diagnostic methods (pathohistology, radiology, nuclear medicine), screening and treatment improvements: surgical and oncological (chemotherapy, immunotherapy, radiotherapy). Additional progress has been made in the definition of prognostic and predictive factors of CRC. It is very important to emphasize the multidisciplinary approach to patients with CRC and to make a decision on optimal treatment based on evidence.

The most common known underlying cause of gastroparesis is diabetes mellitus.General symptoms and signs include nausea, vomiting, bloating and early satiety.The diagnosis of diabetic gastroparesis (DGP) is closely made based on clinical history, exclusion of gastrointestinal obstruction by endoscopy and abdominal ultrasound, and confirmation of delay in gastric emptying by gastric emptying scintigraphy.First-line interventions for DGP are dietary modifications and prokinetic-antiemetic therapy.In cases resistant to maximal medical therapy, gastric electrical stimulation is indicated.The aim is to alleviate both the severity and frequency of symptoms, improve gastric emptying, ameliorate patient's nutritional status and to optimize glycemic control.